A/N : Brief author 's bank bill prior to the chapter. This chapter is from Teddy 's peak of scene, as I wanted to save the specifics of what happened during the mission to capture Johnny Reb. An article in the prophet just would n't do it justice. promise you enjoy !


teddy bear Lupin had been a Jnr Auror for nearly eight months. In that time he had n't done much in terms of fighting glum wizards, and most of the delegacy he 'd gone on had been rather boring. Up until the Azkaban break-out most of his work had consisted of paperwork and the episodic stake-out. Being an Auror, Teddy had discovered, was a lot more than chasing down wickedness wizards and saving citizenry 's lives.

It was for this very reason that Teddy had been surprised when his godfather, Harry ceramist, had approached him the old day and told him of his newest duty assignment. He, teddy lupine, brand-new Junior Auror, had been assigned to the mission of capturing escaped werewolf, Fenrir Greyback. greyback, the same werewolf who had infected his Padre with lycanthropy 10 ago. Greyback, one of Britain 's most need fugitives.

The mission, Harry had informed him, was very spiritualist in nature and had to be handled with delicacy. There was to be no mention of it to anyone outside of the people assigned to it. There were very few people assigned to the mission and they included Harry himself, the header of the rule and ascendance of Magical animate being, and Ron Weasley. That was it. A few others had been assigned to keep an eye on the children grayback attacked the former month, but they were n't to be directly involved with the Rebel mission itself.

Harry had explained the contingent of the mission, including the fact that the whole affair had been Albus 's idea, along with one of his friends, who happened to be the Head of the ordinance and control condition of Magical wight 's son. Who also happened to be a werewolf. It took slip a few minutes to wrap his head around the intact office. To make up affair even more insane, Albus 's wolfman friend was the buddy of shift 's friend, Amy.

But when it came down to it, all of this meant that Teddy was going on his showtime real mission as an Auror.

Harry had instructed him to evince up at the Hog 's Head, in camouflage, at seven o'clock. Once there, he was to order a deglutition and sit at the bar, avoiding link with everyone. Harry, Ron, and Walter Eckerton were going to do the like.

Disguising himself was Teddy 's main strength. Before he Apparated to Hogmseade he morphed his look so he looked a few days older and his hair so that it was a generic brown color rather than its usual turquoise. He finished off the look by shrinking himself and adding a few pounds. After donning a tatterdemalion old cloak, Teddy turned on the stain and reappeared in the bowling alley next to Weasleys'Wizard Wheezes.

slip peeked inside the edifice and saw George VI working. If he had n't been on a mission he would 've stopped to say hullo, but instead he turned in the opposite word direction and headed toward the Hog 's Head.

The pub was practically void. There was an old witch at one of the tables, nursing a deglutition, and a feller sleeping at the end of the bar. Ron was already there, sitting at a board with a goblet in front of him. He 'd clearly attempted to mask himself, but there was no mistaking his red pilus. Harry and Walter did n't seem to be there yet.

Teddy ambled up to the bar, deciding at the last moment that his impostor character should take the air with a limp. Aberforth was there and Teddy ordered a Butterbeer. Probably not the common drink for the Hog 's foreland, but he needed to keep his head clear for the mission. He took the drink and began to sip it slowly, as he had no idea how long he 'd require to venture he was n't an Auror.

A half 60 minutes later the door opened again and Harry and Walter walked in. Walter joined Ron at his back table while Harry went up to the bar. He sat side by side to Teddy.

"How 's it going, Aberforth ?"he asked quietly.

"fine,"Aberforth grunted.

"We 're here on Ministry commercial enterprise,"Harry said."mightiness be here a few time of day. Could be the altogether Night. Do you listen ?"

"Not at all,"Aberforth replied."Pub 's yours, although I 'll be leaving at eleven. Not lots business on a Mon night."

"We 'll lock up when we leave,"Harry said.

Aberforth nodded and set a few Thomas More Butterbeers on the counter. Harry picked them up and gestured for Teddy to conform to him to the back table, where Ron and Bruno Walter were now crouched over a musical composition of parchment.

Teddy sat down succeeding to Bruno Walter and Harry sat next to him. He passed around the Butterbeers while Ron turned the lambskin around so Teddy and Harry could see it. shimmy recognized it ; it was Albus 's map of Hogwarts and Hogsmeade. Currently, it was magically magnified to render the screaming Shack and the yard outside it. Only one dot was there. It was labeled 'Matthew Eckerton'and was stationary in the scream shanty.

"Moon just rose,"Walter said quietly."Just a waiting game now."

No one had told him, but shimmy knew the actual reason why he 'd been assigned to this mission, and it had zip to do with his Auror skills. surely, that had been a addition, but any of the early third-year Aurors were just as specify. And the total Aurors were even more so. The intellect was that he was the only Auror who was related to a lycanthrope, and thus would n't care that a lycanthrope at Hogwarts was an constitutional office of this plan. It was also the grounds why Harry and Ron were there, when Auror John Henry Newman had previously been assigned to the knot character. Walter Eckerton did n't need any risk of his son 's consideration being leaked to the world, and putting Harry, Ron, and shift on the character would insure that it would n't.

"Are you certain Johnny is even going to register up ?"chemise asked quietly as he stared at the map.

"Fairly sealed,"Walter said."wolfman are attracted to the vociferation of their own kind and Calidris canutus is set on creating his own pack of Whitney Moore Young Jr. werewolves. He spent the last wide moonlight lurking around the Shrieking hutch, after he attacked those children. He knows mat 's there. He 'll follow back."

chemise nodded. The minutes ticked by and the pub grew quieter. The old witch left, taking her methamphetamine with her. The man sleeping at the bar snorted and rolled over, nearly falling off his ordure. chemise finished his Butterbeer and set it adjacent to the other empty glasses on the table, wondering if he should go monastic order another or just remain seated.

At eleven o'clock Aberforth woke up the gent at the bar and had to aid him to the doorway and then physically shove him out of the pub. He gave a agile nod to Harry, Ron, Bruno Walter, and Teddy and then went upstairs.

"I suppose the camouflage were a bit pointless,"Ron said as he pointed his wand at his font. His nose returned to its normal shape.

"fountainhead, with the Hog 's Head, you never know,"Harry said.

The mathematical group settled into secretiveness again. Outside, there was the sound of faint howl. Teddy glanced at Walter and noticed that he winced slightly every time there was a particularly aloud howling. Harry and Ron sent him likable looks that shimmy tried to mimic. He did n't have any kids so he really had no idea what that was like, let alone having a kid with lycanthropy.

Teddy glanced down at the map and noticed three new Elvis had appeared."Harry !"Teddy said as he pointed to the map.

All four men crowded around the map once more. One of the dots was indeed labeled 'Fenrir Greyback ,'but the others were names teddy did n't recognize.

"Meredith Jenner and J. C. Maxwell Jenner,"slip read."Who are they ?"

"They must be early wolfman,"Ron said.

"Or Animagi,"Harry pointed out.

"No,"Walter said as he shook his headland."Those are the two kids who got bitten finis month."

"You 're kidding,"Harry said."Dammit, this did n't cross my mind."

"Mine either,"Walter said.

"What about the others ?"Ron asked."Cardinal Newman and the two from the Werewolf Control Unit ?"

"There they are,"shimmy said as three new Lucy in the sky with diamonds suddenly appeared onto the map. They must 've Apparated."

"Yeah, well, they 'd have no chance following three werewolves on foot,"Walter said.

"Let 's go,"Harry said as he stood up.

teddy bear stood and drew his baton. He followed the three older men out of the pub and shut the doorway behind him.

The Hog 's Head was not far away from the Shrieking Shack. Within three minutes they arrived and found John Henry Newman and the other two wizards attempting to limit the three werewolves.

"They 're the Kyd from last calendar month !"one of the Werewolf Control Unit employees shouted.

"Be careful with them !"Walter shouted back."They 've done zippo wrong !"

"We 're trying !"

The two belittled loup-garou were currently attempting to attack the Werewolf Control Unit employees and Paul Leonard Newman, while Greyback seemed to wish far more about getting into the screeching Shack. He was a much with child Hugo Wolf, grey in color, and had bright yellow heart. He was on the porch, biting at the threshold, and not paying any care to the thaumaturgist around him. It seemed to chemise that he had far more control over himself than a normal lycanthrope.

Walter and Ron joined the Werewolf ascendance Unit employees in trying to throttle Meredith and Mx. It was a difficult labor because they had to do it without hurting them. shimmy was fairly certain that the law would n't care whether the two children were hurt in the physical process, but that had never been how Walter ran the department.

Harry nodded to teddy bear and they walked slowly up the lawn, their baton out in social movement of them. If they could just capture Greyback by surprise then they 'd be able to conjure some ropes and restrain him before he even knew what was happening.

They were only twenty pes away when it happened. Rebel suddenly froze and then turned around. He must 've smelled them. With a loud tangle, he jumped the twenty groundwork separating them in one leap.

shimmy and Harry jumped back, sending while forward as they did so. Greyback lunged, the patch not seeming to affect him at all, and made a swipe at teddy. teddy jumped to the side and sent another smasher at Johnny.

Battling a werewolf was very different from battling a thaumaturgist, chemise realized. And battling werewolves had not been covered in breeding. Sure, they 'd learned and practiced the spells used against werewolves, but they 'd never performed them on actual werewolves. The principal deviation was that werewolves did n't have scepter and thus could not cast spells. But at the Saame clip, they had teeth, claws, and were much stronger than the mediocre human. Plus there was the fact that one collation would turn you into one forever.

slip and Harry took turns sending dish at Greyback and were capable to mix up him enough that he did n't quite make out who to lash out. As they worked, they were steadily moving closer and closer to the Shrieking Shack.

Greyback soon realized that he was being cornered back onto the porch and decided to adopt another leap forward. He snarled loudly and lunged toward Harry, nearly making contact. Teddy jumped forward and sent another mantrap toward Greyback.

knot flew backward and slammed into the front door, his caput making a sickening crunch as it collided with the doorknob. He slid down the door and landed on the floor, not moving.

Teddy looked at Rebel and then at Harry, who was getting up from the ground. Teddy had n't even realized that he 'd fallen over.

"Harry, you okay ?"teddy bear asked.

"Fine,"Harry said."You ?"

Teddy nodded and began to take a few cautious steps toward knot. Harry was soon by his side of meat.

"Is he ..."shift began.

"I do n't call back so,"Harry said quietly."Just unconscious. Here."Harry muttered a spell and circle flew from the end of his wand. They wrapped them around greyback until he was secure.

teddy felt slightly disappointed. There was a part of him, a very small part, that wished he 'd killed knot. Greyback had been the one who 'd made his dad 's sprightliness miserable, and he 'd viciously aggress Victoire 's dad when he was n't even transformed. Yes, Teddy had to take on, there was a part of him that wanted retaliation. A part of him that wanted to be the one who finally killed Fenrir Greyback.

slip glanced over to the rest of the mathematical group, but they 'd finished, too. Walter was currently tying the two werewolf children up with ropes while the other men stood around watching. Ron looked up and met Teddy 's eyes, then walked over toward them.

"Done ?"Harry asked.

Ron nodded."They 're tied up and Stunned. I suppose we 'll have to sustain Stunning them until the moon sets."

"So they were n't on wolfbane,"Harry said."Interesting."

"Bruno Walter said he 'll personally take a leak a visit to their household in a few days to talk about precautions for side by side month,"Ron said."But still, their parents must be retard. They could 've been killed."

"The parents are okay, then ?"Harry asked."I wonder what happened."

Ron nodded."Newman said they locked the kids in the backyard shed but did n't put any Aaron Montgomery Ward up. It must 've been easy for Limnodromus griseus to break in."

"I wonder why they did n't listen to Werewolf musical accompaniment armed service,"Harry mused."I know for a fact they visited."

"wellspring, at least no one was hurt,"Teddy pointed out. He turned back to where the other loup-garou had been tied up, but noticed that they were now being levitated to the porch of the screech Shack by the Werewolf Control Unit employees. Walter and Newman were following them.

"What is that goddam racket ?"Cardinal Newman exclaimed, nodding his head to the screaming Shack.

Walter glanced a the Shack and then turned to Paul Leonard Newman."touch. I 've heard that place has been haunted for years, long before I moved to this country."

Harry nodded."It 's been haunted since the 70s."

"Loud wraith,"Newman muttered."Has the Spirit division ever looked into it ?"

"Multiple times,"Bruno Walter said."They 're peaceable ghosts, just loudly. We have n't had too many charge, so have n't bothered to do anything about it."

Teddy was amazed that Walter could lie so easily and freely. But he supposed that he 'd been doing it ever since his son became a werewolf, so he 'd set out used to it.

"Let 's get this lot back to the Ministry,"Harry said, gesturing to the three unconscious loup-garou. Newman, take either Lee or Parks back to the child 's house and inform their parents that they can cull them up at the Ministry tomorrow."

John Henry Newman and Lee, who was one of the Werewolf ascendency unit of measurement employees, Disapparated on the blot. Harry grabbed cargo area of Calidris canutus and instructed Bruno Walter and Parks, the other Werewolf control condition Unit employee, to each take on one of the small fry. With an exceptionally loud go, the entire grouping Disapparated.
***


Each of the werewolves were set up in an interrogation room to wait the remaining 60 minutes until sunrise. Teddy, along with Walter, had been assigned to keeping scout on Rebel, Stunning him when essential. Harry, Ron, commons, and Lee had been assigned to the children. Cardinal Newman got started on the paperwork.

"So if a werewolf were to ingest somebody there to stupefy them every hour or so while they were transformed, they 'd be harmless, right ?"shift asked as Bruno Walter Stunned Reb for the quaternary prison term."Why do n't people do that ?"

"Repeated Stunning is n't healthy,"Walter replied."It 's why it 's not allowed on most captive. It 's only allowed on werewolves because they 're classified as Beasts and not Beings."

teddy bear nodded."What does it do to them ?"

"Depends on the loup-garou,"Walter said."It has no semipermanent effects on tidy sum, but others wind up ill or with memory loss."

"Ca n't say I 'll be too disquieted if it has any ill impression on him,"shift said as he nodded to Greyback.

"Me either,"Walter said.

"I have to ask,"chemise began,"did you get into regularisation and restraint of Magical Creatures before or after your son was bitten ?"

"Before. Ironic, is n't it ?"

"Just a bit."

"It 's because of your Padre that my son is able to go to Hogwarts. I know you probably do n't even remember him, but I 'm forever thankful for him paving the way."

Teddy nodded."I wish I could remember him. I suppose it was really Dumbledore, though, who let him go to Hogwarts."

"I never had the joy of meeting Albus Dumbledore. I wish I could say I have."

Teddy and Walter lapsed back into secrecy. Teddy could hardly believe that he was sitting in an interrogation room with the werewolf who had turned his father. If only his dad could see him now.

Bruno Walter glanced at his watch."Moon should be setting within the half hour."

shift gulped and he hoped Walter could n't hear his heart beating. He had n't been nearly as nervous about facing Greyback as a wolf, but the thought of facing him as a man was slightly terrifying. He almost wanted the next one-half time of day to final stage forever, but at the like clip he did n't. It had been a very recollective day and he wanted to go home and sleep, eat, and see Victoire. Unfortunately, there was still a mountain of paperwork ahead.

Greyback began to invoke, but Walter did n't Stun him. Instead, he conjured a simple set of robe, set them on the tabular array, stood up, and gestured for slip to follow him out into the corridor. chemise did so, but looked at Bruno Walter quizzically.

"He ca n't escape. He 's got no verge and there 's anti-Apparition charms on the suite,"Bruno Walter explained."He 'll be at his absolute weakest as he transforms and despite the wickedness he 's done, he deserves the respect of transforming alone."

Teddy was move. He himself would n't consume even thought about that, but Walter had clearly been planning that all along. Teddy supposed it came from having a son who was a werewolf. If shift 's own Fatherhood had lived, would he induce similar thought ?

There were no silencing charms on the interrogative sentence suite. Soon the corridor was filled with howl and was then replaced by painful shrieks. The shrieks soon gave way to a long watercourse of profanity.

"Let 's go,"Bruno Walter said as he placed his manus on the doorknob.

Teddy had no thought what to expect when he entered the elbow room. He 'd only seen image of Greyback from the Prophet and black-and-white photos never did a person justice.

Fenrir grayback was crouched on top of the table, dressed in the wearable that Walter had provided. His greyness hair was ropy and matted with grunge and blood, and his face bore several week 's worth of grey-headed beard. His face was lined with deep furrow and teddy bear realized that he had absolutely no thought how old the man was.

greyback took a deep snuff as Walter and shift entered. He grinned and let out a maniacal joke."Head of the Department,"he muttered."hypothesis I 'm popular."

Teddy froze, all his training suddenly out the window. He could hardly believe that this man had attacked his father when he was only a child. Fenrir Greyback was far Thomas More sinister in person and Teddy felt a pang of sympathy for his father as a five-year-old.

"So you found me,"Limnodromus griseus said."How 'd you do it ?"

"We were waiting for you, Greyback,"Walter said."We knew you 'd give back to Hogsmeade."

Greyback sneered."Yeah, wanted to go back for that loup-garou in the Shrieking shack. He smelled untried, impressionable."

Walter paled."You 'll never make the opportunity to go back."

"We 'll see,"Reb replied.

"enough chat,"Walter said, turning to shimmy."Arrest him."

Teddy snapped out of his thought process and immediately went back into Auror-mode. He set himself apart from the situation and ran on autopilot.

"Fenrir Rebel, I am Auror Ted lupine and you 're under collar,"Teddy began.

Greyback 's middle grew wide of the mark."lupine. Any telling to Remus Lupin ?"

"He was my founder,"Teddy said proudly.

"I made him who he was,"greyback said as he stared directly into teddy 's middle."I changed his life."

"Fenrir Calidris canutus, you are under collar,"Teddy repeated, ignoring him. He conjured a couple of handcuffs and walked over to Greyback."You have the right to remain still. I suggest you use it,"he said as he cuffed the loup-garou."If you choose not to be mute, anything you say can be used in your trial. You will feature a trial. If you can not find representation, we will find it for you."

shift grabbed Rebel 's arm and pulled him off the table and into a tolerate position. As he did so, he met the older man 's eyes. They were yellow-bellied, pure yellow, and completely unforgiving. He looked like the face of evil, as if Greyback had no human soul left. It was in that moment that Teddy knew for sure that this werewolf held no similarities to his begetter. Greyback lived to spread evil, while Remus lupin had lived to quit it.

Teddy slapped a set of handcuffs on Greyback. He opened the threshold and pushed Calidris canutus out into the corridor, still holding onto his arm. Walter followed and the two walked alongside each other as they led grayback to the holding cells.

Harry was waiting for them when they arrived. He shoved Greyback into a cadre and locked the doorway behind him.

"Your dad would be incredibly majestic of you,"Harry said to Teddy.

Teddy nodded and gave Harry a half-smile.


A/N : I hope you enjoyed the Teddy chapter ! I had a lot of fun writing it. Thanks for all the endearing reappraisal !

The rights Teddy read to Greyback are adapted from the Miranda right wing, created by the United States Supreme court of law in 1966.


Albus awoke the next daybreak to the speech sound of an owl pecking at the windowpane. He rose from his bed and went to let it in. The owl was unfamiliar, but he vaguely recognized it as the breed of owl the Ministry of deception used. The missive was addressed to him, so Albus took it, let the owl back out into the cold, and set down on his bed to spread it.

Albus-

We got him.

-Dad

That was all it said, but it did n't involve to say anything else. His dad probably could n't say anything else in a letter, anyway. Albus folded up the parchment and shoved it into his bedside mesa. He glanced at the clock and realized there was no point in going back to bed since form would get in two hours.

Instead, he got started on that week 's charm reading while he waited for John to wake up. This took a good hour and when he finally did wake up, it took him fifteen minutes to fully come alive up and get dressed. John the Evangelist was not one for mornings.

Albus waited until they were in the Great Asaph Hall for breakfast to state John about the letter of the alphabet from his dad, so that he could recount Kaden, pink wine, and Amanda, too. Luckily they managed to find a relatively secluded function of the table.

"I got a letter of the alphabet from my dad this morning,"Albus said as he scooped eggs onto his plate."They got him."

"Oh thank God !"blush wine exclaimed.

"Did he separate you about it ?"John asked.

"No,"Albus said."But I 'm sure it 'll be in the Prophet tomorrow."

The group decided to eat a very flying lunch later in order of magnitude to visit Matt before their good afternoon course. Albus wanted to state him about Johnny Reb as soon as potential.

Albus found it incredibly difficult to keep his backtalk shut during potions because the rest of his classmate were discussing knot and whether he had attacked anyone the previous Night. Janie Creevey swore she saw him on the grounds from her dormitory windowpane go night, but Karina and Marina said it was only a dog. Two of the Slytherins said they heard howling all nighttime, and Scorpius said one of the quondam bookman had received a missive from his buddy claiming to bear seen Reb in Diagon back street. It seemed that Albus and his friends were the exclusively single in the entire castle who knew Greyback had been captured.

Scorpius Malfoy left potions early after speaking in rustle with Slughorn. Whatever it was it was a good exculpation since Slughorn actually let him go. Albus thought this was very rummy, but did n't dwell on it since his mind was still racing about Johnny. He wanted point about the gaining control, but probably would n't get any until he read the clause in the Prophet.

"Anyone know why Malfoy left ?"John asked as they hurried up to the Great residence for lunch.

"No idea,"Albus said."Maybe he was ill ?"

"He did n't see ill,"John said."I suppose if he is ill we 'll see him in the hospital wing."

Albus and his friends ate the fast dejeuner they 'd ever eaten and cannonball along up to the hospital wing. Kaden had Herbology after lunch and would need a near bit of time to get there, so they wanted to drop as very much of lunch as potential in the hospital fender.

ma'am Pomfrey was busy berating a student for trying to captivate her hair pinko and had charmed it all off instead and did n't notice Albus and the others walk in. Only one bed was occupied and the drape were drawn around it.

"hypothesis Malfoy 's not here,"lavatory said as he led the chemical group over to mat 's bed.

John pulled the pall back and Albus saw that Matt was sitting up in bed, eating lunch. This month he was sporting a bandage wrapped around his total heading and single on his manus as well. He seemed to be having a bit of difficultness holding his sandwich.

"They better have caught him,"Matt said as he dropped his sandwich."Dammit. I ca n't go another month wrecking my hands."

"They did,"Albus said."My dad owled me this sunup, but he did n't give me any details."

"I knew he was there,"lusterlessness said."The masher wanted to get out again and this time I banged my head repeatedly against the door."He gestured to the head bandages.

"I do n't opine you 'll have to vex about that again,"whoremaster said."They 'll probably put twice as many safety device on Greyback 's cell."

"I think this is the worst cephalalgia I 've ever had in my spirit,"Matt muttered.

John grinned mischievously."Shall Kaden and I do a repeat of last week 's prank ?"

Matt gave him a feeling of murder."If you do, I 'll kill you and I wo n't be responsible for my actions."

"Just kidding,"whoremaster said.

"madam Pomfrey wants me to eat lunch and then she 's going to give me decent sleeping draught to sleep until dinner. I ca n't wait."

"fountainhead, I 'm going to have a cover girl afternoon of fertilizing wizard industrial plant with dragon dung,"Kaden said."So aside from the turning into a wolf thing and the raging headache, I 'm form of jealous."

"I 'd involve the dragon muck,"Matt said and then turned to Albus."Embry is announcing who gets to watch the last debate today, is n't he ?"

Albus shook his head."They 've actually put it off two more weeks. It was in the paper this forenoon. I guess they want it fresh in people 's minds or something. Plus, we 've got Quidditch Sat and dueling Sunday."

"Is Gryffindor playing ?"Matt asked.

"Hufflepuff and Slytherin,"Albus said."If Hufflepuff wins, then we 'll be ahead in points. But if Slytherin winnings, we 'll probably be behind them."

"Here 's hoping for Hufflepuff, then,"Matt said. He glanced at his half-eaten sandwich."I think I 've given up on eating. I do n't mean to plain you lot out, but I 'm really looking forward to sleeping."

"Not a trouble,"Albus said."We 'll see you later."

"I think I 'll be back tomorrow,"Matt said."Unless this head ache does n't go away."

lavatory glanced at the clock."Brilliant. There 's enough time for me to run back to the Great Hall for an eclair before Transfiguration."

"I 'll join you,"Kaden said.

"Me, too,"Albus agreed.

The young lady decided that a arcsecond afters was in order as well, so the whole group hurried back to the Great manor hall before their next class. On the way there Albus realized just how much better he felt now that grayback was once again behind taproom.
***


"Teddy arrested him !"Albus exclaimed at breakfast the next break of day. He 'd just finished reading the article about Greyback.

"Seriously ?"rosiness exclaimed, grabbing the oracle."I did n't even cognize he went on that mission."

Albus nodded."It was him, my dad, your dad, and Matt 's dad. Plus Newman and a few lycanthrope Control whole employees. And those kids who got attacked last workweek were captured, too. Apparently their parents did n't put any cellblock up on the shed they were in."

"That 's unintelligent,"rose said.

"Was anyone hurt ?"Amanda asked.

"No,"Albus said.

"Oh, look, they 've quoted Laurentis,"rose wine said."Listen to this. 'Greyback 's retaking is wonderful word for wizarding Great Britain. I applaud both the Auror Department and the Department for the regularisation and Control of Magical puppet for their collaboration in this capture, especially Harry Potter and Bruno Walter Eckerton. However, there are still four prisoner at large. The employment is not done and we must remember this before celebrating .'”

"Did they cite your uncle ?"John asked.

"No,"rosiness said."It says he has n't made a statement about it yet."

"I honestly think that this is only going to make his support of your dad look better,"Amanda said."Laurentis can try, but this is a winner. I mean, just expression at the article. Absolutely zip went wrong with that capture. There were three werewolves on the loose in Hogmseade and nobody got attacked. It 's that simple."

Albus had n't thought about it in that way, but it was true. Three loose wolfman would normally be a nightmare for a quiet Village like Hogsmeade, but thanks to the Aurors and the Werewolf dominance Unit employees, nobody got hurt.

"I 'll just be happy when this election is over,"Albus said.

"You 're telling me,"Cedric said as he sat down across from Albus."I do n't even like who wins anymore."
***


Hufflepuff somehow managed to crush Slytherin during Saturday 's Quidditch match. Albus chalked this up to the fact that Hufflepuff had the best squad they 'd had in years, and that Slytherin 's keeper had landed himself in the hospital flank after blowing up his potion on Fri, earning him a ban from the catch by dame Pomfrey. But whatever the reason actually was, it was certainly beneficial to Gryffindor.

Albus awoke early on Sunday, suddenly riddled with nerves about the dueling tournament. This month 's tourney was the second to last of the year since all the professors had agreed to end it earlier due to exams. Many of the seventh days had expressed that they could n't oversee praxis while studying for N.E.W.T.s. But this meant that Albus only had two more than luck to secure a win for his squad, something that had n't happened yet this yr.

Albus and Amanda were the low gear of their team to arrive in the Great Asaph Hall before the tournament. The rest period of the team trickled in slowly as they waited. Five minute of arc before the tournament was scheduled to commence, the only mortal missing was Malfoy.

"It 's not like him to be late,"Amanda commented."Usually he 's here too soon telling you what an awful job as captain you do."

"No, it 's not,"Albus agreed as he stood up to get a better look at the threshold."I do n't see him."

"He was n't in potions the other day,"Amanda reminded Albus."Actually, I have n't seen him since he left potions early on Tuesday."

Albus thought back and realized Amanda was right."Oi !"he called to his radical of Slytherin mate."Any of you know where Scorpius Malfoy is ?"

"He went family,"one of the third geezerhood said."No approximation why. He has n't been here since Tuesday."

"He went plate ?"Albus repeated, staring at the third year."That 's odd."

The third year shrugged."He did n't enjoin anyone anything about it. He just left."

Albus had to acknowledge that this news gave him as much letdown as discombobulation. Scorpius Malfoy was one of the team 's respectable dueller, no thing how annoying he was.

"No one goes home when it 's not a vacation,"Amanda said.

"Yeah, not unless they 're really ill or something frightful happened to their family,"Albus said.

"Attention pupil !"Neville called out."The tournament is about to begin !"

Albus managed to push all thinking of Malfoy out of his mind for the duration of the tournament. nigh of his teammates dueled well, although only Albus and a few other fourth old age won both their duels. In the end they secured third stead, which was certainly practiced than a goodness part of the relaxation of the squad, but still was n't first. They were still in the run for winning overall at the end of the season, but they 'd involve to do really well in the final tourney.

Albus and Amanda met the rest of their friends in the piranha 's Den after the tourney was over.

"Did Malfoy skip the tourney ?"trick asked as soon as they entered."Not that I 'm complaining since your team probably would 've beat mine if he had showed."

"Apparently he went home on Tuesday,"Albus said."I 'm assuming that 's why he left potions early, but no one has any idea why he went."

"Maybe his parents took him on holiday,"Matt said."They seem the type to do that."

"You 're not allowed to overlook classes unless it 's a skilful excuse,"Rose pointed out."I do n't think going on vacation is a adept excuse."

"I think something bad is happening to soul in his family,"Amanda said quietly."Remember that letter he was reading during practice ? And how quiet he 's been lately ?"

"I 'll ask Elsie Willinson,"rosebush said."I tutor her tomorrow. Chances are that Malfoy told Felix about whatever 's going on so maybe Elsie knows, too."

But whatever was going on with Scorpius Malofy, Elsie Willinson was just as clueless as Albus and his friends. She either had no idea or refused to tell apart Rose, despite the fact that Rose prodded her about it ever ten minutes during their tutoring session on Monday.

Malfoy returned to class on Tuesday, walking into potions 15 minutes former, and Slughorn made no citation of his tardiness or the course of study he missed the previous week. Albus attempted to watch his face during class but he gave no clues about his emotions.

"Hey, Malfoy !"Albus shouted as they left the classroom a poor while later.

Malfoy spun around and met Albus 's eye. He did n't look tempestuous, nor was he sneering. Instead, he just looked lost."What do you want, ceramist ?"

"Missed you at the tournament Sabbatum,"Albus said, hoping Malfoy would tell him where he 'd been.

"Bet you did n't win without me,"Malfoy replied.

"Third piazza,"Albus answered."Where were you ?"

"None of your business, ceramist,"Malfoy said as he turned around. He sped up and was soon lost in the sea of scholar hurrying to the Great Hall for lunch.
***


The come week passed quickly and Albus soon forgot about Malfoy and his mysterious disappearing. The election was now only a week away and everyone in the castle, students, professors, and spook alike were talking about it. With only one disputation remaining, it was up in the air as to who would win. The seer published a poll they 'd taken and neither candidate had a significant lead on the other.

"Kingsley Shacklebolt, quondam Head of the Auror section, was the last Minister of Magic selected by the Wizengamot,"Professor banking company said in class two twenty-four hours before the final disputation."His extract was very quick and he stepped into office the day after Voldemort 's expiry. While nearly of the wizarding world knew that the Ministry needed an overhaul, they also needed someone to learn charge and supervise the overhaul.

"Shacklebolt held power for three years while supervising the drastic changes that made the Ministry of magic trick the governing entity we see today."

Albus had met Kingsley Shacklebolt a few times and found him slightly intimidating, but funny at the same fourth dimension. He just had a very commanding bearing and Albus was n't surprised he 'd been made minister of magic after the war.

"The three yr Shacklebolt held situation were very riotous. Decisions had to be made, drastic ace, and they were not easy. The first and most obvious conclusion was the decision to change the way the Wizengamot was set up. The Wizengamot as it was was incredibly cloud. think of that prior to this redesign every pureblooded household held a rear end on the Wizengamot, but this left half-blood and Muggle-born crone and adept without theatrical.

"Shacklebolt, along with the other Ministry functionary working to reorganize the Wizengamot looked to the Muggle world for divine guidance. The previous Wizengamot bore to a greater extent resemblance to the Muggle House of overlord, the upper berth House of Parliament. It was decided that the Wizengamot ought to more closely resemble the mansion of commonalty, the Lower House of Parliament. In the Muggle world, these congresswoman are called Members of sevens, MPs for scant, and are elected. In the wizarding world, they are simply called penis of the Wizengamot.

"appendage of the Wizengamot then began being elected by the general public, much like MPs are elected in the Muggle world. Each phallus has a district, although figuring out these districts was far more difficult than it was in the Muggle populace. Does anyone have a surmise as to why ?"

Amanda raised her deal."Yes, Miss tagging program ?"Banks said.

"Witches and wizard are n't as uniformly spread out throughout the United Kingdom,"Amanda explained."In the Muggle man the territorial dominion are very much based on townspeople, but wizards do n't really have towns."

"Correct,"Banks said."Because of this the districts, if shown on a map, would look vastly different in term of size. For representative, London has three separate dominion because there is a very large wizarding universe in London. It 's far soft for genius to combine in in a large city than a small townsfolk since things generally go unnoticed in big cities. On the other hand, Wales only has two territory, and therefore two congresswoman, since it 's much less densely populated by wizards."

Albus did n't have a clue as to who his district 's congressman was, or even what territory he lived in. It was one of three, as he now knew.

"I 've taken the liberty of printing a map with a listing of all the congressman and district routine,"banking concern said as he began passing out bed sheet of parchment."I 'd run a risk a guess than very few of you know what district you 're in or who your representative is."

Albus looked at the plane after he received it. London seemed to be divided into West London, North London, and East/South London. North capital of the United Kingdom, where Albus lived, was territory Two, currently represented by a chap named Oliver Prang.

"Elections are held every five geezerhood,"Banks said."None of the congressman are up for election this year, but near are up for election next year. None of you will be of age to vote in side by side year 's election, but I suggest you read up on your representatives views and beliefs anyway.

"To entice you to learn,"Banks continued as he walked around his desk,"I am assigning an essay, due in two calendar week. Figure out who your representative is and write me a foot-long essay detailing your representative 's opinion and whether you agree with them or not. I suggest looking at old copies of the Prophet as well as archive written text of Wizengamot meetings, both available in the library. You are welcome to use any other germ as you see fit."

There was a general groan from the class, which made depository financial institution grin. He always seemed to love assigning prep.

"Now onto the more exciting intelligence,"depository financial institution said."This Sabbatum is the concluding argumentation and four of you will be able to attend. I apologize in advance for those whose name calling have not been chosen, but there simply were not enough argumentation. As usual, the rest of you will take heed to the disputation in the Transfiguration classroom.

"The two from Hufflepuff are Sam Bordeaux wine and Cassie Hornell. The Gryffindors are John Brickston and Janie Creevey. Your essay on this disputation, to be formatted like the previous two, will be due in a hebdomad. Class dismissed."

"I knew it would be me,"John said as the packed up."Bilius and Ethan have already gone and you two get to go every time."

"I had n't even realized that,"Albus said.

"Karina 's the just one of us who wo n't get to go,"rose wine pointed out.

"That essay, though ..."John said."The one on our example. That 's going to exact forever."

"Not if you do your enquiry right,"rose wine said as they left the elbow room.

"Any of you in District seven ?"lav asked.

The rest period of the radical shook their heads. They compared territorial dominion numeral, but none of them were in the Lapp. Rose and matte were the tightlipped, with their territory bordering on each early.

"I guess we 're all doing our own research then,"toilet said with a suspiration.

Rose gave him a satisfied smirk, clearly glad that she would n't have to make do with bathroom attempting to bum off her research. Albus wished that he and rose wine were in the like district because he, like toilet, did not relish doing this enquiry. Usually they only had to use their textbook for research, but not this metre. This fourth dimension, their textbooks would n't facilitate at all.


A/N : Thanks for all the reviews ! It 's time for the annual Dobby awards at HPFF and nomination are now undetermined ! Head to the forums to constitute your favorite floor ( such as this one, *hint, hint* ). There is a link to the forums on the right slope of the pageboy. Be surely to show the regulation before you nominate ! We hate having to disqualify stories for give way prescript.

The selective information about the Muggle Ministry was adapted from the House of the Lords and the Parliament Wikipedia varlet. I hope I got everything right, but I 'm not Brits, so look exempt to signal out any errors.


As the calendar week progressed more than and more of the Prophet was dedicated to election coverage. By the sentence Sat arrived it became nearly out of the question to find a single clause that was n't about the election. There were editorials, interviews, affirmation from the candidate, opinion poll, and Thomas More. Albus was getting so tired of it that he did n't even glance at Saturday 's variant.

"billet your bets here !"

Albus glanced up from his breakfast to see James IV, Cedric, and Ben walking up the aisle between the Gryffindor and Hufflepuff mesa carrying a jar filled with coins.

"We 're taking bet !"James IV shouted."Any takers ?"

"What are you betting on ?"Albus asked."Who wins ?"

"No, that 's drill,"Saint James said."We 're taking bet on how long it 'll take the debate moderator to take up that crazy Australian cuss who kidnapped you last year. This debate is on International Magical Cooperation, after all."

It had n't even crossed Albus 's nous that last twelvemonth 's incident would be brought up in this debate, but James was probably right. It was the cock-a-hoop international scandal wizarding Britain had seen in years.

"What 's your bet ?"Albus asked his brother.

"Ten instant,"James said."We 've had a few people say it 'll happen right away and others who are giving it as long as a half hour."

"You do realize that your dad 's the one moderating this disputation, do n't you ?"blush wine asked, setting down her copy of the prophet.

James, Cedric, and Ben exchanged a glance."Er, no, we did n't know that,"Saint James said."How do you recognize ?"

"Says right here in the newspaper,"Rose said, pointing to it."He might not bring it up."

"I hope he does n't,"Matt muttered."I 'd rather just forget Lubar 's existence."

"He might still bring it up,"James said."It was a fairly big incident."

rosiness shrugged."It 's possible."

"So what would Uncle Hotspur say if he knew you three were taking stake on the debate ?"Albus asked with a grin.

Cedric paled."He 's not going to find out. Everyone who places a bet is sworn to secrecy. We 've had them sign something. If they say anything their faces will grow orange."

"Is n't that care what Aunt Hermione did for the D.A ?"Albus asked.

"form of,"Cedric said."But we 've told people about it, so they know what they 're signing."

"Any wager, then ?"Henry James asked.

Albus and his friends all shook their heads no. conclusion year 's incident was far too personal for them to set bets on whether it would be a disputation topic.

"We 're wasting time, then,"James said as he led Cedric and Ben further down the aisle."Place your wager here !"

"They 're idiots,"Rose muttered.

Albus agreed.

An hr later Albus, pink wine, flatness, and John were back in the Great Hall for the debate. Albus soon realized that this debate would be watched by even Sir Thomas More people than the past ones, with many people standing in the back due to miss of seats. Personally, Albus thought most people would 've already made up their judgement since the election was only four twenty-four hours away, but clearly it was still a democratic upshot.

John had to sit with the other bookman who 'd been picked while Albus, Rose, and lusterlessness sat up front, like common. All of Albus 's cousins were there, including Georgia, who looked like she was forcing herself to smile.

"Hey, Georgia,"Albus said.

"Hi, Al,"Georgia replied."I 'm so glad this is nearly over."

"Me, too,"Albus agreed."How is the squad ?"

Peach State 's fake grin grew echt."Oh, they 're howling ! Connor Blythe, the steward, he put in his notice that he 's only going to do one More season after this one and he told me he 's recommending me to assume his fleck. Me ! And I 've only been on the squad for a year !"

"That 's marvellous !"Albus exclaimed."You 'll have to get me tickets to your first match."

"Oh, I expect everyone in the family to be there at my first match as permanent steward,"Peach State said."And I want Dad rightfield there in the front row, cheering me on."

"well, if he wins, he 'll have to keep supporting you,"Albus pointed out.

"Yes, well, I want it to be actual,"GA said."We 'll see."

"Could everyone please take their bottom ?"Kendrick announced in a magically overdraw voice.

GA left and went to her own place, as did everyone else who was still standing. The room grew tranquilize and Kendrick took a few steps forward.

"Thank you. I 'd care to welcome you all to Hogwarts. This is the last debate of the election and I appreciate the Ministry allowing Hogwarts to take such a big role in it. It has been a marvellous learning opportunity for staff and students alike. Remember, Wednesday is election day, so delight throw your vote. Now, I would like to innovate today 's moderator, a man who needs no foundation, Mr. Harry Potter, Head of the Auror department !"

The room erupted in thunderous applause. It seemed that no subject how Laurentis tried to discredit Albus 's dad, no one could take away the fact that he remained the Boy Who Lived.

Harry walked forward and took his piazza behind the moderator 's podium."Thank you, thank you,"he said and the crowd grew quiet once more."Now, please receive our candidates, Mr. Sir Henry Percy Weasley and Ms. Patricia Laurentis."

The nominee received considerably less applause than Harry did, something Albus found incredibly funny. If his dad ever decided to run for Minister he 'd experience the matter won before the race even began.

"I am for certain both our campaigner know the rules by now. Five minute answers and five moment rebutter,"Harry began."Mr. Weasley, you will begin."

Albus had to repress his laughter at the fact that this dad called Uncle Percy 'Mr. Weasley .'

"The world-class question is very general,"Harry said."In your judgement, how is U.K. 's relationship with its strange neighbor ? Should the Ministry be making more of an campaign to work with its neighbors or are matter delicately as they are ?"

"I think overall our ministry has a good relationship with strange ministries and governments,"Percy began."We have no electric current feuds with any foreign countries and all foreign talks have gone well in the past few years. However, I believe there is always room for improvement when speaking of relationships with former countries. There are always opportunity to accomplish out to our neighbor, and you never know when such relationships will be necessary."

"Ms. Laurentis."

"My opponent makes honest item,"Laurentis said."And while I feel that furthering our human relationship with alien ministries is an fantabulous thought, I wonder if that is really where our vim should be focused right now. There are many issues we need to treat here at home, and as Mr. Weasley said, our current relationships with extraneous Carry Nation are good."

"The section of International Magical Cooperation muckle solely with international magical cooperation,"Percy pointed out."Working to fix consequence at domicile is obviously a good approximation, but what do you presuppose this department does while we do that ?"

"Well, yes, of course, that department is always working on international issues,"Laurentis said."I was merely speaking of the Minister and his prompt officials."

"Thank you,"Harry said."Next question. The topic of changing the assortment of loup-garou from animal to organism was brought up at the lastly debate. Both of you expressed no desire to bring this up with the international community. Have either of you changed your positioning on this in lighting of the Holocene capture of Fenrir Greyback ? If not, will you explain in more detail why you feel the way you do ? Ms. Laurentis, you may begin."

Albus glanced at Matt. Maybe now they 'd figure out exactly why Uncle Percy did n't want to change the werewolf classification, more than just it was n't worth the effort.

"The seizure of Fenrir greyback was undoubtedly a success. I hope nobody has misconstrued my words on that. The fact that it was done without any trauma, let unique fatalities, was zip short of amazing. The Aurors and Werewolf dominance Unit employees who executed the plan of seizure are to be applauded. However, I fail to see why the capture of one loup-garou should sham our decisions on the group as a unit. If anything, if werewolves had been classified as organism during that capture the Aurors and lycanthrope ascendance Unit employees would not throw been able to use the method of gaining control they used. To be honorable, I fail to see any welfare of reclassification."

Albus felt matt tense next to him. Laurentis really was clueless, was n't she ?

"Mr. Weasley."

"I agree with my opponent about the capture of Fenrir Limnodromus griseus. However, I disagree with her about the potential welfare of reclassification. outset, the Aurors and Werewolf Control unit employees could have used the Sami methods they used last Night, as foreland of Department Walter Eckerton does not set aside any method of capture that would not be allowed if wolfman were classified as beingness. In terms of Department for the Regulation and ascendency of Magical brute rules and ordinance, werewolves are to be treated as Beings. This has been the pillow slip since Eckerton took over as principal over a yr ago. Perhaps Ms. Laurentis is unaware of this fact.

"As for benefits, those with lycanthropy would be able to secure task far more easily and would have the Saame rightfield given to hobgoblin, house-elves, centaurs, vampire, and humans alike."

Apparently his uncle had much more of an opinion than the one he gave at the death debate, Albus thought.

"Your time is up, Mr. Weasley,"Harry said."Your rebuttal, Ms. Laurentis."

"Then perhaps Walter Eckerton ought to convey another flavour at the law,"Laurentis began."Because it is perfectly sound of him to use to a greater extent harsh methods to get werewolves into capture. But since this gaining control was a roaring success, I will not fault him for that. As for werewolf rights, I have yet to hear of any complaint by loup-garou about their rights."

"That 's because they do n't complain to you,"mat muttered under his breath.

"Your rebuttal, Mr. Weasley."

"As I did not bear meter to fully answer the question, I will uphold,"Walker Percy said."While it would be beneficial for werewolves if they were reclassified as existence, I do not think it 's feasible. It would demand understanding from all nations, which is frankly asking a lot. I know for a fact Commonwealth of Australia would never be on board, and considering our rocky relationship with that particular commonwealth, I do not finger it is in our effective interests to begin talks of the reclassification of werewolves. In ratiocination, I feel it would be a worthwhile endeavor, but given the unlikeliness of it amounting to anything, it would be a waste of manpower."

"Thank you,"Harry said."Next head. In regards to our bouldery relationship with Australia, as Mr. Weasley put it, do you feel it would be beneficial to preserve trying to get Ralph Lubar extradited to the United Kingdom ? Mr. Weasley."

Albus glanced at his lookout. Whoever betted on forty second would be very happy, he thought. Albus had been hoping this topic would n't be brought up, but he supposed it was too big of an outlet not to be.

"If elected I would defer this decision to the section of International Magical Cooperation, since they possess the essential expertise on the bailiwick. However, it is my personal notion that it would be worth pursuing. I believe it is important to send a message that Ministry employees, even high-ranking official such as Ralph Lubar, are not above the law. What Lubar did was dire and in no world should he get away with it."

"Ms. Laurenits."

"notification how Mr. Weasley did not quotation that his nephew was one of the kid kidnapped by Lubar,"Laurentis pointed out."I think this might cloud his opinion a little. I disagree with him about this particular proposition topic. We 've been trying to have Ralph Lubar extradited for nearly a twelvemonth and Australia has not budged. Why bother continuing to make endeavour toward this when it is clear they will be fruitless ?"

"If we give up, it will be telling the world that anyone can go perpetrate a crime in another commonwealth and not be punished,"Percy said."Thomas More than that, it demonstrates the corruption of the Australian government and having our citizens believe their governance to be corrupt will not help external magical cooperation."

"The potential putrescence of the Australian government is not any of our business organization at the current time. We can not pressure them to extradite Ralph Lubar and it is my personal judgment that they will never do so. I daresay that the section of International Magical Cooperation has more pressing matters to deal with."

"Thank you both,"Harry said."We have time for one more question, but in igniter of the fact that the election is on Wednesday, I am going to establish each of the candidates a chance to make a oecumenical speech communication instead. Mr. Weasley, you may address first."

"Thank you, Harry."

Harry Hotspur seemed ineffective to call in Harry 'Mr. potter .'Albus giggled at this.

"I would like to give thanks Professor Kendrick and the relaxation of the Hogwarts staff for being so accommodating, as well as the students. None of the bookman sitting in this elbow room right now were animated before the Ministry was reorganized in 1998 through 2001. None of the educatee in this way were animated during Voldemort 's sovereignty of terror. They read about both of these in account Scripture, because to them, it is simply account. To me, and the remainder of the grownup in this room, the previous Ministry and Voldemort are our past tense, our memories. We remember the holy terror, the unknown, the fear.

"I was a piece of the reorganization of the Ministry. We all know the years that have followed- the old age where we have lived without concern, without scourge, without the unknown region. I have been with the Ministry every step of the way since Voldemort 's defeat and I will realize it my duty to continue the peace of mind that we 've had for over twenty years. I will retain this curt because I, like almost of you surely do, believe that the best actor's line is a short spoken language. If you want a government minister who will continue the winner of parson Hartwell 's time in office, ballot for me, Percy Weasley, on Wednesday. Thank you."

There was a smattering of applause, but it did n't last longsighted. Albus had a feeling that most of the respite of the bookman wanted the election to be over.

"My opponent routinely brings up the past tense. He speaks of the war, Voldemort, and the old Ministry, but never once has he discussed the future, except in vague statements about keeping things the Lapp. It 's true that I was not involved with the reorganization of the Ministry over twenty geezerhood ago. I got into politics later in life. But I do not experience that this will make me an inferior curate, nor do I think it will be particularly beneficial to Mr. Weasley.

"history is just that. History. We certainly need to read from our account to ensure that we do not make the same misunderstanding we did before, but it is not requisite to have lived through history to be a successful leader. There are plenty of Ministry employees, even a few high-ranking official, who were not here during Voldemort 's sovereignty. Walter Eckerton, for exemplar, did not live in Britain during Voldemort 's reign. Yet he very successfully runs the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical tool.

"In myopic, I believe we need to focus on our hereafter rather than our past. If elected curate I will ca-ca progressive variety in not only our ministry and police, but our educational arrangement as well. matter have been ran the Same for over twenty years, and while I am not denying the success, I think we have needed change for a spell. fly the coop captive are running costless. Hogwarts lessons are being taught the Lapplander way they were when these minor 's grandparents were in schooltime. The ministry, along with its laws and policies, needs to conform as the years go by. If you feel alteration is needed, if you are at all upset about the way affair are, vote for me, Patricia Laurentis, on Wednesday."

There was another smattering off applause. Albus did n't spat at all and neither did any of his full cousin. If the election was based upon familial reenforcement, Percy would have it in the bag.

"I think your uncle may have won my parents'support back,"lustrelessness said as they left the Great Hall.

"Yeah, he made himself vocalize a bit better today,"Albus replied."Laurentis just does n't get it."

"Nope,"Matt said."But she does n't seem to accept an issue with my dad, which is right if she gets elected."

"What if she wins and she stops trying to get Lubar extradited ?"Rose asked as they met up with John.

"She ca n't. The man is mad,"John said.

"Honestly, I think it would be better if he was n't extradited,"matt said quietly.

"Why ?"trick asked incredulously."He kidnapped us and tried to play Voldemort back !"

"He was n't really a division of that,"lusterlessness said."That was the Willinsons."

"But still,"Albus said."Why ?"

"Because if he gets extradited he 's going to be angry,"Matt explained."He 's got quite a temper. And when he does n't get his way he attempts to destroy the lives of those who stand in his way. Just think about it. If he were brought back here, what 's stopping him from making my ... condition ... public ?"

"He could n't do that,"Albus said."It 's illegal."

"You think Lubar would care ? He did it in Australia !"Matt snapped."He 's already broken the law. And even if he got in difficulty for it zippo could make what he said back. It sucks that he 's not getting punished, but I think it would be better if the world just forgot about the whole thing."

Albus had n't thought about it like that before. flatness did have a point. But there was a constituent of Albus that just wanted to see Lubar behind bars.

"plus, there 's no way Commonwealth of Australia will extradite him,"lusterlessness said."Your uncle and Laurentis are both right about one thing. The Aboriginal Australian governing is very cloud, and I do n't retrieve anything will bump until that corruption ends. Lubar wo n't be punished, and loup-garou wo n't get reclassified as Beings."

"So even though you moved, the Australian government still has some control over your life,"John said."That 's messed up."

"Yeah, it really is,"Matt agreed."But it 's the way the Earth works."


A/N : Thanks for all the reviews ! Once again, I 'd like to shamelessly secure my narration for Dobby nominating address ! point over to the forum to put up my ( or any other ) stories for a Dobby prize ! Be sure to read the principle before nominating.


Albus had been hoping classes would be suspended the day of the election, but there was no such luck. Kendrick organized it so that the Great entrance hall would be the polling place and that voting would not move the world-wide student body. Hogwarts was the designated polling plaza for the district it was in, so there would be other citizenry coming to the school day to vote. Albus 's cousins who were of age ( Thomas Bradley, Fred, and Heather ) all voted after breakfast, as soon as the polling station had been set up.

Albus and his friends spent most of Herbology watching the great unwashed walking from Hogsmeade to Hogwarts in Order to vote. It was very unhinge and Neville did n't rag telling people to get back on labor.

"When are we going to know who won ?"John asked as they walked back to the castle for vindication.

"It 'll be in the Prophet tomorrow first light,"Albus said."That 's the functionary posting, but I 'm sure we 'll find out earlier. Tom Bradley and Cedric have to go to the end of the election company tonight. It starts at six and the polls close at eight. They 're announcing the succeeder at the party at eight-thirty. Bradley and Cedric will be back after that and I give it about five minutes to unfold around the castle."

John laughed."You do n't deliver to go to the company ?"

Albus shook his mind."My parents gave me the alternative. I said no. James and Lily are n't going, either."

"What about you two ?"St. John the Apostle asked blush wine and Matt.

"No,"Rose said. Matt shook his head.

"goodness,"John said."We should sustain our own party here. A party to celebrate the end of this election. Maybe it 'll mean Embry will let up on the essays. Anyone else writing their debate essay during United States Department of Defense today ?"

For the past few months virtually citizenry had used Defense as a study dormitory. The worksheets young assigned never took longer than fifteen minutes and he did n't seem to wish what his student did with the rest of the class. Just as long as they were n't being loud. Albus did n't think anyone had used any Skiving Snackbox afters in denial this year, since there was n't lots degree.

Albus, matte, and Amanda all still needed to publish their essays as well. Rose had written hers immediately following the public debate, but the rest of them did n't see the need to do it right away.

"I can always finish it in story of illusion, too,"privy said as they entered the castle.

"Let 's go peek in the Great Hall,"Albus said as he led his friends over to the right.

Albus glanced inside and saw that there were four small cell curtained off where the staff board should 've been. A short queue of people were off to one side and seemed to be waiting their turn for the kiosk. It did n't look very exciting.

"Any scuttlebutt on the election ?"

Albus turned and saw a newsperson lurking near the doorway. He did n't make out this particular reporter.

"No, thanks,"Albus said as he steered the grouping away from the Great Hall, and thus away from the reporter.

"I do n't think they 're allowed inside,"rose wine mentioned."So they ca n't bother masses who are voting."

"That makes sense,"Amanda said."well, let 's go get those essays done with. Then we 'll never have to write essays on public debate again."

Albus nodded. No more debate essays. Now that would be a good matter.

The difference of the day passed quickly. Albus, Matt, and Amanda managed to stop their essays during defence mechanism, but John only got halfway done. Voting was suspended during dejeuner and then again at dinner. Albus overheard a few of the sixth and seventh years talking about balloting and the election during dinner party. A pair of Ravenclaws even got into an debate about it.

"Let 's make a pact now not to get in any fights over the next election when we can all vote,"Rose said as they watched one of the arguing Ravenclaws storm out of the Great Hall.

The residuum of the group heartily agreed. Albus could n't imagine ruining a friendship over something as silly as an election.

"This party that Bradley and Cedric are going to,"John Lackland began,"it 's for both your uncle and Laurentis ?"

"Yeah,"Albus said.

"That 's going to be awkward when they announce the winner,"John said with a laugh.

"It 's supposed to promote good sportsmanship and that sort of thing,"rose wine explained.

"Still ... I ca n't imagine Laurentis being a thoroughly variation,"John said.

After dinner Albus and his friends returned to the common room, deciding that it might be interesting to spend the eve there rather than the Marauder 's Den. They also wanted to get a line firsthand from Bradley and Cedric who won.

The vernacular room had the distinct feeling that Gryffindor had just won a Quidditch catch. St. James the Apostle, Fred, Calluna vulgaris, crisscross, and Ben had taken it upon themselves to take in a party to celebrate the end of the election and thus the end of debates and essays on argumentation. There were subject of Butterbeer and trays of biscuits and nonentity was working on any prep.

"Maybe now things can get back to formula,"Albus said as he opened a Butterbeer.

"If Uncle Hotspur wins matter will never be rule again,"Rose pointed out.

Albus shrugged."I do n't know. Amanda seems fairly normal and her uncle 's the Prime Minister."

"That 's because nobody here cares about the heyday parson,"Amanda said."At home everyone knows I 'm the niece of the Prime Minister. My sister and brother certainly are n't anon. at their schoolhouse. My sis 's at university now and she says it 's a bit better than it was in lower-ranking school."

"Albus, you 're Harry Potter 's son,"John Lackland said flatly."No matter what happens, you 're going to be well-known."

Albus supposed that was admittedly, but sometimes he wished it was n't. Sometimes, he wished he could make his own way in the world and not accept his dad 's name tied to him.

"Did you ever get the map back from your dad ?"Matt asked.

"Yeah, why ?"

"Just curious,"Matt said.

Albus reached into his bag and pulled the map out. He 'd taken to carrying it around with him all the time, but he was n't for sure why. After setting it down on the table he revealed it and focused on the division that showed Hogwarts.

"There 's still a bunch of people voting,"Albus said, gesturing to the Great Hall. About a one-half twelve or so DoT were milling about.

"Madam Rosmerta 's there,"Amanda pointed out."I wonder who she 's voting for."

"No idea,"Albus said. He glanced at his vigil."Half 60 minutes until the poll close."

"How long do you intend Bradley and Cedric will stay ?"Kaden asked.

"Probably not long after the announcement is made,"Albus answered."They do n't really like going to those things."

"Albus,"lavatory said, pointing to the map."Is it just me or is Malfoy going into Moaning Vinca minor 's toilet ?"

Albus peered down at the map. Sure enough, a dot labeled 'Scorpius Malfoy'had just entered the bit flooring miss 's lavatory. That did n't stimulate any sense.

"What the inferno is he doing in there ?"matte exclaimed."Why would anyone go in there ?"

"myrtle 's there,"John the Evangelist commented."Look, she 's floating over toward him."

"But why ?"Albus asked, still utterly confused."Why would a fella go in there ?"

"Maybe the map made a mistake ?"Kaden suggested.

"Dad says the map never lies,"Albus explained."Well, there 's only one way to determine out. Let 's fall out him."

"sound sound to me,"Amanda said as she stood up."This company is getting boring anyway."

John and Kaden nodded their heads in correspondence. Rose raised her eyebrows.

"No way,"matt said, shaking his head vehemently."There are n't plenty Galleons in the world."

"Oh, come on, it 's just a girl 's loo,"Amanda said."looking at, there are n't even any girls in there besides Vinca minor. And she 's a spook !"

John laughed."myrtle 's got a bit of a crush."

"John the Evangelist, shut up !"Matt said, his boldness turn red.

Amanda and rose burst out in laugh."Seriously ?"Amanda said.

"Yeah, we had detainment in there once,"John explained."Myrtle spent the whole time flirting with Matt. It was hilarious."

"I said, shut it !"lusterlessness shouted.

"Oh, come on, she 's just a ghost."

"I 'm not going. I refuse."

"Fine,"John said."wooing yourself. prove ?"

"I 'll detain here, thanks,"pink wine said."You 're wasting your sentence anyway. It 's not like he 'll tell you anything."

Albus did n't care. He still liked the idea of going because it felt like he was doing something, making some sort of onward motion on figuring out why Malfoy had been acting so oddly the past few month.

They did n't bother bringing the Invisibility Cloak since there was still an hour left until curfew. On their way there, they spotted Peeves unscrewing chandeliers in honor of Apr Fool 's Day, but ignored his cackles.

Albus watched the map as they went. Malfoy remained in the lavatory as they walked quickly drink down escape of stairs. But they got stuck on the stairs leading to the mo floor corridor, after the stairs decided to lead them directly to the maiden floor rather than the second.

"He 's leaving !"Albus exclaimed as they got back on the stairs after their slight roundabout way.

"Maybe we can catch him on his way back to the keep,"Amanda suggested.

Albus nodded."Let 's wait here, then."

Their stream location gave them an excellent view of the Great Hall. A few Ministry official were currently carrying pieces of the voting cubicles out of the room, polling clearly over. It would only be about a half hour until they had a new Minister of Magic.

can nudged Albus."There he is."

Albus turned away from the Great Hall and saw Malfoy walking down the staircase. He looked extremely determined.

"Malfoy,"Albus said.

"Potter,"Malfoy replied.

Albus suddenly had no idea how he was going to ask Malfoy about why he was in the girl 's loo without revealing the map. If they caught him in there it would 've been easy to say they saw him going in there, but now he was just walking down the steps, perfectly innocently. He 'd have to be really careful about it.

"So why were you in a daughter 's loo ?"Amanda asked.

So much for being thrifty, Albus thought.

Malfoy paled."Er, I wasn't."

"Yes, you were,"Amanda said."I was in there, too. Second floor, Moaning Myrtle 's toilet ? Ring any bells ?"

"That loo was empty,"Malfoy said quickly."I checked."

"Next clip check a bit harder,"Amanda said."I was in the go stall and when I heard you come in I had to stay there because you 're a bloke and it would just be eldritch to come out of a bathroom stall and come typeface to face with a bloke. I heard you talking to myrtle, though."

"I ... er ... that 's not any of your ... business,"Malfoy stammered.

"Then do n't conduct your commercial enterprise in a girlfriend 's loo,"Amanda said with a gag."Let 's go. We do n't need to miss the news about the new curate. Clearly Malfoy 's a bit unhinged."

Amanda turned and set off up the stairs. Albus, John, and Kaden followed, leaving Malfoy frozen in their Wake Island. Albus glanced back and saw that he was still as picket as lustrelessness is powerful before a full lunation.

"Amanda, what was that ?"John exclaimed once they 'd get to the 2nd floor.

"That felt good,"Amanda said."He just really irritates me, and this clip we had something on him. I could tell Al did n't know how to ask him without telling him about the map. But I figured it 'd be pretty tardily to affect I 'd been in the loo with him."

"That 's brilliant,"John said.

Amanda grinned."I have my moments."

"Whatever it was, I do n't opine he 'll be going in that loo anymore,"Albus said."I just wish we 'd figured out why he was in there in the first-class honours degree place."

"Seriously,"John said."The solitary way you 'd catch me in a young lady 's loo is if you paid me a load of Galleons."

"Or you got detention."Amanda smirked.

"That does n't count,"John the Divine said.

"Oh, shut it, both of you,"Albus said."Let 's hasten up and get back to the common room."

When Albus, John, Kaden, and Amanda returned to the common room they were greeted by loud groan and sighing. Confused, Albus turned to his Brother, who was nearest the portraiture hole.

"We thought you lot were Omar Bradley and Cedric,"James said.

"James I, it 's not even eight-thirty yet,"Albus pointed out."They wo n't be back for at least a half hour."

"Oh, right."

rose and Matt were in the middle of a game of chess. Matt was losing spectacularly.

"Did you find him ?"matte asked as Rose 's bishop crushed his queen.

"Yeah, but not in the loo,"Albus said."Caught him on his way back to his uncouth room. He would n't tell us a thing."

"Of grade he did n't,"mat said."And he probably denied he was in the loo anyway."

"He would 've,"Albus said."But Amanda told him she 'd been in there and then told him off for being there. It was brilliant."

"want I could 've seen that. I 've always wanted to tell off Malfoy."

"You should 've come,"bathroom said."We did n't even see Myrtle."

"Still ... not taking any chances,"Matt said."King to D6."

blush wine instructed her knight to move closer to Matt 's big businessman."checkmate.

matt sighed."One day, I 'll win."

"Me next !"Kaden exclaimed. Everyone else laughed."What ? I 've gotten better,"Kaden muttered.

Albus, John, Matt, and Amanda settled down to take in as Rose clobbered Kaden. Albus could 've sworn he saw Kaden 's chessman quiver as they were set up on the board. Rose 's queen was most definitely grinning maliciously. Over the next half 60 minutes Kaden 's objet d'art were viciously slaughtered by Rose 's, but not without putting up a fight. Kaden was in fact getting adept.

"Exploding Snap ?"lusterlessness asked after Rose and Kaden repaired their chessmen.

"Yeah, all right,"Albus agreed. The others nodded.

Albus ran up to his dormitory to retrieve his Exploding Snap wit. As he returned, the portrait kettle of fish opened.

The entire common elbow room froze and was silent. Not a I someone moved. Not a single mortal said a word. Even the first off years, who had been tossing a Quaffle around, were still. Albus stood on the bottom step to the residence hall and waited.

Bradley walked inside, followed by Cedric. Neither seemed overly excited, but that did n't intend that Percy had n't won. After all, they, like Albus, did n't really want Hotspur to be Minister, but they did n't need Laurentis as minister of religion either.

"Well ?"Saint James the Apostle asked.

"Dad lost,"Omar Bradley said quietly. He whispered something to James and then he turned and left the vulgar room, followed by Cedric.

Albus could n't believe it. He had n't realized it until now, but he truly had believed that Uncle Sir Henry Percy would win. He had the support of Harry Potter. Did n't that mean anything anymore ?

Albus returned to his ally and set the box of carte du jour down on the table. He sat down and did n't say a word.

"What does this mean ?"Amanda asked quietly."volition she do everything she said she was going to do ?"

"That and probably worse, too,"Albus said.

St. James walked up to the table."Al, rosebush, we 're all going to the Room of Requirement. Bradley and Cedric want to break us more than details."He glanced the rest of the grouping."Sorry, family only."

"We 'll see you later,"Albus said as he and get up stood up.

Albus, James River, and blush wine walked to the Room of requisite in muteness. When they arrived they saw that the door was already there. They walked inside.

The rest of their cousins had already arrived. Albus took a seat on the last unexpended couch and James and blush wine sat on either position of him. nonentity was speaking, so he glanced around and watched all of his cousins.

Bradley, Cedric, Calluna vulgaris, Mark, Ben, Fred, Hugo, Lily, James, Rose, and Angie. And himself. They were the eye group of cousin-german. Not the honest-to-god, not the youngest, but the ones in the eye, who never did anything first and never did anything lastly. They were n't the 1st to go to Hogwarts and they would n't be the last to graduate. They stood by each other, through the good and through the bad.

Tom Bradley and Cedric were n't seated. They were standing at the strawman of the elbow room, near its doorway. The entire room was decorated like the den in the Burrow, with mismatched furniture and organized topsy-turvydom everywhere. Albus liked it.

"Well, Dad lost,"Omar Bradley finally said."I already told you that ... but yeah. It was close. He only lost by a couple hundred votes.

"How did he charter it ?"Heather asked.

"Graciously,"Thomas Bradley answered."Thanked everyone for their support and shook Laurentis 's hand, of course."

Albus was n't surprised. Uncle Percy had and always would be the paradigm of a genteel pol. But maybe that was n't enough to get elected.

"Is it terrible that I 'm happy he lost ?"Cedric asked as he squeezed onto the couch between James and Albus."Because I am, kind of."

"Just a bit,"Heather said."What is Uncle Walker Percy going to do now ? I doubt Laurentis will proceed him on."

"I had n't even thought of that,"Bradley said.

Neither had Albus, but it made sense. Sir Henry Percy was still employed by the Ministry, but his job was one of those line selected by the diplomatic minister.

"He 's always worked for the Ministry,"Bradley continued."I do n't think he could do anything else."

The elbow room descended into silence. cipher seemed to eff what to say, Albus included. His feelings on his uncle becoming minister had been all over the place for the past seven months, but now that Percy had actually lost, all Albus felt was disappointment. It was strange. Just last week he had been kind of hoping Percy would mislay, and now that he had, Albus felt the nail opposite.

It was already by curfew for Lily, Victor-Marie Hugo, and Angie, but nonentity was telling them to go back to the common elbow room. Albus was vaguely curious about what was going on in the green room, but not queer enough to actually go back. Matt, John, Kaden, and Amanda would evidence him later.

What Albus was really worry about, more than anything, was what Laurentis was going to do to both the Ministry and Hogwarts. Laurentis had made it clear that she was going to shift the school, but Albus liked it the way it was. Then there were the modification to the Ministry, such as the dementors. How long would it bring for Laurentis to wreak them back ? Surely she had to go through right channel to do it.

James, Bradley, and Cedric were the get-go to retort to the coarse room, claiming they had to wee serious on all the bets they 'd taken. Albus had a feeling all three of them were now slightly in debt. Albus and rose returned a few moment later, leaving the rest of their cousins talking quietly in the Room of Requirement.

When they returned Matt, Saint John the Apostle, and Kaden were playing Exploding Snap. Amanda was writing a letter.

"Who are you writing to ?"blush wine asked.

"My uncle,"Amanda answered."I 've been keeping him updated on the election. He says he likes hearing it from me rather than waiting until the new minister of religion arrives to touch him."

"Your uncle meets the government minister of Magic ?"St. John asked.

"Well, yes,"Amanda said."The two worlds do have to coexist. Sometimes there are problems that affect both. Voldemort, for example. And Hartwell personally told my uncle about the elude Death Eaters."

"That 's so weird,"John said.

"I told you about it earlier in the year,"Amanda pointed out."That 's the solitary grounds I got to go to Hogwarts. My parents changed their intellect at the last arcminute and happened to mention it to my uncle, laughing about the fact that they 'd actually said I could go. And then my uncle told them it was all true."

"I wonder how often that happens,"Albus mused,"Muggleborns not being able to go to Hogwarts because their parents do n't believe."

Amanda shrugged."I 'm just lucky I was n't one of them."

"I think we all need a misdirection,"Rose said and turned to Kaden, whose human face was covered in ash."Deal out the carte again. Let 's diddle until we 're too tired."

Albus heartily agreed, and that was exactly what they did. Two hours later, all of their faces ashen, they were finally tired. But when Albus climbed into bed, his mentation began racing and he found himself ineffectual to sleep.


A/N : Sorry for the late update ! My birthday is tomorrow so I had friends up for the weekend and completely forgot. Thanks for all the reviews !


The next day 's edition of the prophesier was devoted entirely to election day and Laurentis 's win. The succeeder did not surprise anyone in Hogwarts since Bradley and Cedric had spread that as soon as they returned. Albus still read the total front page article at breakfast and he was glad he did, because the article still held surprises.

LAURENTIS WINS ; Begin APPOINTING POSITIONS

In the closest race for Minister of Magic to
date, campaigner Patricia Laurentis won the
location lowest night. Polls closed at eight,
with the official winner announced at a closed
party at the minister 's Mansion at eight-thirty.
Laurentis won by a mere 342 votes, which is the
closest backwash we have ever seen.

'I am of class very pleased with this number of
event ,'Laurentis said at the minister 's
Mansion after the declaration was made .'I am
very excited to be sworn in as minister of
magic trick on May first. I feel I will be able to
sacrifice the public what they need, for they have
spoken and now it is my duty to leave them what
I promised during my drive. I of track
whirl my commiseration to Percy Weasley. He truly
was a pleasure to run against over the retiring
seven month .'

'I offer my kudos to my opposite ,'Harry Hotspur
Weasley said to Daily Prophet reporter at the
parson 's Mansion. 'We both campaigned hard
and she won, fair and straight. I am foiled,
of course of action, but I still congratulate her .'

Over the succeeding month Laurentis will adjudicate who
she wishes to appoint to top Ministry positions,
before she is sworn in as pastor of Magic on
May first of this year. Laurentis is wasting no
clock time with this, as she was seen at the Ministry
earlier this morning .'I already have people
picked out for well-nigh positions ,'she said upon
questioning .'I will be keeping a few of the
current officials, but I will be replacing quite
a few in order to honest unify the Ministry .'

One person has already confirmed his intentions
to take Laurentis up on her offer of a position.
Ironically, he is set to claim over Percy Weasley 's
current locating under Minister Hartwell .'I am
very pleased to announce that Dragon Malfoy is
going to take the position of Senior
Undersecretary for the Drafting and Editing
of police. Draco Malfoy has been a friend of mine
for many years as we have worked together in the
Azkaban Division for nearly a decade. I am very
excited to continue working with him .'

Laurentis plans to harbinger the name calling of her
functionary as they confirm throughout the month.

"Malfoy 's dad ?"Albus exclaimed, in stupor."Since when is he chummy with Laurentis ?"

"Malfoy never said a Word of God,"Matt added, his eyes large.

"Of track he did n't,"rosebush said."We 're not exactly his friends."

"Wait, remember in Hogsmeade back in October ?"Albus replied."When he talked about how my home wo n't be running the wizarding world for long ? Not that my phratry has ever ran the wizarding world ... But he seemed to know something we didn't."

"This must be it,"john said, staring at the paper."That 's a pretty top post, is n't it ?"

"Second high-pitched for drafting police,"Rose said."precondition his human relationship with Laurentis anything he drafts will most probably pass."

"And who knows what his opinion are,"Albus said, craning his neck to see the Slytherin table."Malfoy 's over there. I ca n't quite see his case, though."

"I 'm for sure he 'll let something to say to you in Potions,"Amanda pointed out.

Albus had quite a few hours to wait to find out just what exactly Malfoy would possess to say to them. History of illusion, his first class of the day, was as boring as ever. professor Binns showed absolutely no recognition that the election had taken place the late day. prof Patil was the complete reverse, making no move to cover up her outrage at Laurentis 's win, which led her to blow up the desk she was attempting to transfigure.

"Do you think Laurentis will actually have teachers sacked ?"John asked as they walked to the Great Hall for lunch."Because if she does, Patil wo n't stand a chance."

Albus shook his psyche."Only if they 're really awful teachers. Umbridge sacked a few in my dad 's fifth year and I think hoi polloi will be outraged if Laurentis does the Lapplander thing. Honestly, I think Binns and Danton True Young are the only single in danger."

"Could you sack a ghost ?"John asked."I mean, where would he go ?"

"He 'd probably puzzle around and still try to teach,"Albus said."I ca n't opine it would go over well."

"And Pres Young ca n't get sacked,"John lamented."That 's where I do all my homework."

Albus secretly agreed, but did n't say anything because Rose snorted in disgust.

Malfoy was waiting outside the potions dungeon when Albus and his friends arrived after lunch. Gone from his face was the unsettled and partially sad look, replaced by Malfoy 's usual haughty smug. Clearly his dad getting a top Ministry posture had changed something.

"Hey, Potter,"Malfoy greeted him."Congratulations to your uncle on his loss. Ca n't thank him enough for that."

"I 'll be for sure to recite him,"Albus replied."He 'll be thrilled that he made a Malfoy well-chosen. Must be decent that your dad 's got some actual baron now."

"And yours wo n't stimulate any for long,"Malfoy said."Just another month."

"cypher 's set for sure about the Auror section,"Albus countered.

Malfoy laughed."I think I might get it on a bit more than you on that. Laurentis was over at my house for dinner end week."

"And you were here,"Albus said."You never mentioned that your dad 's booster with Laurentis."

"It never came up."

"Well now that you 're all happy again maybe you 'll actually show up for this month 's dueling tournament ?"

That wiped the smirk off Malfoy 's face. He turned stony and took a step closer to Albus."Do n't say a word about that. It 's none of your business."

"Touchy,"John commented.

"Stuff it, Brickston. This does n't concern you. Your parents will have power in the Ministry the day Hagrid adopts a normal pet."

"We 'll see who 's got the power the bit one of your family winds up at St. Mungo 's,"john snapped.

Malfoy paled."Just exclude up. The stop is, my dad 's going to give a better spatial relation than yours."

"cipher cares what your dad does for a livelihood,"mat said.

"Nobody asked you. At to the lowest degree my dad does n't bring his oeuvre rest home with him."Malfoy laughed.

John whipped out his verge."You always take it one too far, do n't you, Malfoy ?"

Malfoy took out his wand as well."I could say the same about you, Brickston."

"verge away, boys."

Albus turned and saw Professor Slughorn standing in the doorway. He breathed a sigh of relief. The last-place thing John needed was another detention.

"Get inside. social class is starting in one minute."

Both toilet and Malfoy were lucky they did n't get detainment, Albus thought. Neither of them had thrown any curse, but a stricter teacher would 've handed out custody just for having their wands drawn. Not Slughorn, though. Albus got the sense that Slughorn did n't wish handing out detentions, probably because that meant having to supervise them.
***


The chase few Clarence Day passed without anymore position promulgation from Laurentis. In fact, it was a relatively hush few solar day, especially when compared with the past tense seven months. For the first time all class, there was lilliputian coverage of the election, that is until they had politics on Tues. At the end of the deterrent example, Embry reminded them of their research essays on their representatives, an designation that had completely slipped Albus 's mind. It was due in two days.

Apparently, it had slipped John and lusterlessness 's minds as well. Rose and Amanda had been diligently working on theirs all week, only needing to write their closing. Amanda had even asked her uncle for help, devoting share of her essay to the similarity and conflict between the wizarding and Muggle governing.

"I guess we 'll be spending the evening in the library,"Albus said as they headed to the Great residence for dinner."

"Dammit,"matte muttered."I 'm going to sustain to write the entire affair tonight. The entire Moon 's tomorrow."

"Usually you 're practically substantially about remembering to do assignment before that,"blush wine commented.

"I know, but with the election and everything, I forgot,"Matt said.

"But you 'll be missing form on Thursday,"trick pointed out."So you can flex it in Tuesday and get four excess days."

"I 've never done that with long-term assignments,"Matt said."I do n't want to start now. Albus can turn it in, like usual."

"Let 's eat fast, then,"Albus said as they entered the Great Hall.

"Hey, Amanda, want to take a walk around the lake before we write our last ?"Rose asked."The weather 's so overnice tonight we might as well rent advantage."

"Of path !"Amanda agreed."Ca n't let that go to waste."

"Oh, shut up,"Albus muttered.

Forty-five minutes later Albus, matt, John, and Kaden had taken over one of the larger tabular array in the library. Kaden had joined them since he had a Transfiguration essay due the future day and divination predictions to do. Albus was considering hexing two first twelvemonth at the tabular array following to them who kept giggling, if dame Pince did n't get to them first. He wished that one of his friends lived in his district ; it would make this so much easier.

Albus did sustain a discrete vantage over both Matt and toilet, in that his representative was far more well-known than theirs. Oliver Prang, who had been serving the North London district, was on his fourth consecutive term, which amounted to over XV eld. That was more than than Albus 's entire life. Jack London in itself was a location that required far more aid than other country of the country, which resulted in far More information being available on it. John the Evangelist was able to locate a bonny amount of entropy on his spokesperson, Nadine Abernathy, but flatness, since he lived in one of the most distant areas of England, had difficultness locating information on Marcus Whitby.

"Does this bloke even live ?"Matt asked as he looked through the very last archive transcript of the seer that was published during Whitby 's one term."Oh, here we go. Lovely. Now I know he exists. Here 's a sentence that mentions he won the election. And of grade he won. He did n't own any opponents."matte groaned and banged his headland repeatedly on the table."This is hopeless."

"You 've still got all the minute from Wizengamot meeting,"Albus said, pointing to the three prominent piles of paper in the midriff of the table. He really did feel bad for matt, though. It was bad enough having to do a paper like this, but having to do it when the wide moon was only two days away ?

"I could probably just make stuff up,"Matt said as he took the top few pages."I mean, honestly, could Embry possibly know anything about Marcus Whitby ? It 's the to the lowest degree densely populated district in all of England."

"Embry probably knows everything about everyone,"John Lackland said."There. I 've got my intro. Look at it this way. Your blighter 's only been in office for a twelvemonth. So you 've got far less binge to depend through. It wo n't take as long."

"But if there is n't anything, then that does n't help,"Matt muttered."Have you even interpret anything ?"

"A bit."privy shrugged."Nadine Abernathy 's on her secondly condition, so there 's not as much as Albus has got. But I read enough to spell the presentation. Now I 'll interpret a bit more."

"You have a weird way of doing research."

Albus glanced up and saw that blush wine and Amanda had returned, base in hand. They sat down and pulled out their own essays, which looked very long.

flatness tossed the papers he 'd been looking at onto his rejection pile, which was so disorderly that ma'am Pince would probably have a warmheartedness attack if she saw it. He then let out a loud sigh and put his brain in his hands.

"Could you please take pity on him ?"Albus asked Rose.

Rose looked up from her essay."I told you. You 're all doing this yourselves."

"His representative has only been in part for a year,"Albus explained."And the only thing he 's found is one judgment of conviction in a seer from a year ago saying he won the election, which was against cypher. And the full Sun Myung Moon is tomorrow."

"Please, rose ?"lustrelessness asked, picking his head up to look at her. His expression was flushed and he looked very frustrated.

"Your parents should 've moved somewhere less remote,"Kaden commented.

"They wanted to be in the heart of nowhere,"Matt said flatly."They did n't need neighbors."

Rose sighed."mulct. But only because you look so pathetic. And mine was pretty hard, too, because my dominion is also remote. Just let me finish my conclusion."

"Lucky,"John the Divine muttered."I do n't hypothesise you 'd help-"

"Absolutely not, Gospel According to John Brickston,"rose wine said and lowered her voice."As soon as you turn into a wolf once a month I 'll help oneself you with your procrastination."

Albus turned back to his own essay and over the next four hr managed to get it half done. He did n't think it was very in force, but it was progress. St. John the Apostle was about halfway done as well, so the two of them decided to call in it a Night. John settled in to help oneself Kaden with his fake divination forecasting. matte was still working on his, with much coaching job from rosiness.

"Did you find anything ?"Albus asked.

"A bit,"rosebush said."It 's not much. This bloke seriously has n't done anything. He 's hardly mentioned in any of these minutes."

Matt yawned."How long does this have to be again ?"

"A base,"rosebush answered."You 've got another four inch to go."

"It 's nearly ten,"Albus mentioned."The depository library is going to close and we 've already missed curfew."

The library was now only filled with fifth through seventh age. It was certainly quieter.

"We should probably finish in the common room, then,"Rose said.

"I do n't think I can,"mat said."Too pall. I 'll finish it tomorrow since I 'll probably skip good afternoon division anyway."

The chemical group packed up their things and walked quickly back to the vernacular room. By some stroke of luck they managed to avoid the prefects and did n't get any custody from being out after curfew.

"No mandatory curfew tomorrow,"Kaden commented as they entered the common room.

"With Greyback caught they do n't call for to do it anymore,"Albus pointed out.

"Thank God,"Matt replied."He wo n't be lurking around tomorrow."

"I just hope your dad was able to aid those parents with the two Kid,"Rose said.

"He 'll probably go do the wards himself,"flatness said."At least for this calendar month. And I 'm trusted they 've got wolfbane this month."

Albus nodded. It was going to be a better full moon moon for everyone involved.
***


Albus, mat, and john managed to get their essays done in time and turned in on Thursday. The full lunar month was relatively pattern, as full lunation go, without any reports of werewolf attacks. Matt wound up in the hospital wing for two entire days, having resorted to chewing on himself since the wolf no longer had the distraction of grayback outside. But Albus had a feeling Matt preferred it that way. Greyback 's mien was just too creepy and too unknown.

A few days after the wax moon Epistle of James returned to the common elbow room fuming. Albus raised his eyebrow at his crony as he straightened a pile of career pamphlets that had once again appeared on the common room tables.

Epistle of James stomped over to Albus 's tabular array, pulled up a chair, and squeezed himself between Albus and Matt."life history advice,"he muttered.

"Did you just own it ?"Albus asked.

"Yeah, with Longbottom,"James River said."Neville always seemed so dainty when we were little and even in socio-economic class he 's easily the considerably prof here. But for career advice ? He 's painful !"

"Well, what did you blab out about ?"

"Careers."

Rose snorted."Obviously."

"He wants me to pick something now. I do n't know what I want to do with my aliveness. I 'm only XVI for God 's sake !"

"I think you have to pick something so you can pick your N.E.W.T. classes next twelvemonth,"pink wine explained."Otherwise the teachers do n't love what to put you in."

"I know that,"James snapped."But I do n't want to do anything that 's going to require loads of N.E.W.T.s. I want to wager Quidditch."

Rose laughed."He did n't care that ?"

"No,"St. James muttered."So I told him about Empire State of the South. And then he said that it 's not very common to be drafted by a professional team and that even Georgia had a back-up programme. That 's newsworthiness to me. As far as I know she 's wanted to dally Quidditch her whole life."

"She was going to design brooms,"pink wine said."Still might, after she 's done with Quidditch. Why do n't you do that ?"

"Neville suggested it. But it requires Arithmancy most of the time and I have n't even done O.W.L. Arithmancy. I just want to take the bare minimum of N.E.W.T.s and get done with it."

"And of course Neville did n't like that,"rose said."Honestly, James, just pick something."

"But I ca n't !"James said as he picked up a sight of pamphlets."Look at these. goblin link, Gringott 's Counterfeit Coin checker, security Troll flight simulator. They 're all utter boring."

"There 's loads of job in the Ministry and St. Mungo 's,"Rose said.

St. James snorted."No one would require me as their Healer."

Albus had to agree with that. Saint James the Apostle had about the same ability to centre as a troll."Hey, you could train security trolls."

"I said that 's boring. And I do n't want to ferment for the Ministry. Not now that Laurentis has won. Just you lot wait. You 'll cause to go through this side by side year."

"I already know what I want to do,"Rose said."I 'm going to be a therapist, specializing in psychiatry."

"Of course you do,"James IV muttered.

"If it makes you feel better, Ilex paraguariensis, I 've no idea what I want to do,"John said.

"Me either,"Kaden agreed.

"You 're a third year,"James said flatly."It does n't matter that you do n't know what you want to do. What about you, Al ?"

Albus shrugged. He had n't thought much about careers since the previous year when Balladanis told him he could be a Presuler. The melodic theme was very alluring, but he did n't want to tell anyone else about it.

"I suppose it does n't matter. The N.E.W.T.s I take are going to depend on which O.W.L.s I actually pass."

"If you 'd discontinue complaining and take up studying you 'd pass more than of them,"Rose pointed out.

"I suppose you 're rightfulness,"James said as he stood up."guesswork I 'll go to the library."

"James, hold !"rose wine shouted as King James I neared the portrayal hole."Forgetting anything ?"

James glanced down."Oh, right. Books."

James ran up to his dormitory and returned with his bag a minute later. Grinning at Albus and the others, he left the common room.

"I swear, I 'm not certainly how we 're related,"rose wine muttered.

"You 're telling me,"Albus replied."You 're still set on the therapist thing ?"

"More than ever,"Rose said."It is eldritch, knowing exactly what I want to do this early."

"You 're like my sister,"matte pointed out."You two really are alike. It 's kind of weird."

"I like your sister,"rose wine said."So I 'll deal that as a compliment. What about you ? Do you know what you want to do ?"

lusterlessness laughed and picked up the Gringott 's pamphlet."Considering that werewolves are n't going to be changed from Beasts to existence anytime soon, I do n't retrieve I 'm going to have many pick to pick from."

"You never know,"blush wine said."Who knows what will happen between now and when we graduate. Things could change."

"Still, it 's doubtful,"lusterlessness said, turning to Amanda."Amanda ? You were awfully quiet when James was here."

"It 's voiceless not to be. He 's rather loud himself. I 'm not sure. I think I want to do something in the Ministry, though. I want to make a difference."

"Excellent,"Matt said."You can change everyone 's head about changing the loup-garou classification."

Amanda smiled."You never know. It 's crossed my mind a few times."

"I just want to brew potions for a living,"Kaden announced as he leafed through the folder.

"You 're insane,"trick said."You seem so normal, otherwise. But seriously, nonentity enjoys potions."

"You can do that,"Matt said."You can go a Brewer. My sister 's doing that along with her Healing degree."

Kaden 's optic grew with child."time lag, really ? That 's a real vocation ?"

matt nodded."Not everyone can brew potions, so they need people to brew them for them. You can work at St. Mungo 's and brew healing potions or you could work for a company and brew potions to sell."

"sort of like a pharmacist, I suppose,"Amanda replied.

"Exactly,"Rose said.

"Brilliant."Kaden grinned."St. James the Apostle will detest me now. Third yr and I know what I 'm doing."

Albus laughed."You could transfer your mind."

Kaden shrugged."I suppose so."

Albus did n't really want to guess about what they would do after Hogwarts. It was three twelvemonth away. He 'd rather enjoy the give, but rosebush had always been the somebody to look to the future tense. She fantasized about their Hogwarts days when they were only six and now, she was fantasizing about what they 'd do after. Albus had never been the eccentric to do that. There would be plenty of time for the future in the future.


A/N : Thanks for all the recap ! For those of you who read Beyond the phantasm, it made it through to the voting stave of the Dobbys ! Head over to the forums to vote for it. It was nominated in the Best OC category.


April went by quickly, as it usually did. The weather turned from chilly and windy to warm and rainy, resulting in more than one muddy Quidditch recitation. Albus did n't mind the mud as much as he minded the length of the practice session. Both Fred and Heather seemed determined to win the Quidditch Cup now that it was their 7th year. They had n't won it yet, in all their years at Hogwarts. Albus wanted to win, too, but not enough that he enjoyed practicing for five hours straight.

When he was n't on the slant, near of Albus 's meter was spent at dueling practice. The final match of the year was on the last Saturday in Apr and Albus 's team was still in the running for a win of the intact tourney. They had n't won a unmarried match, but they were routinely in mo office by only a few points. The squad that had gotten first topographic point never did that wellspring in former tournaments, resulting in their overall point total being quite low.

When the cobbler's last Sat in April arrived, far sooner than Albus would 've liked, he found himself incredibly unquiet. He was n't nervous at all about his affaire d'honneur, but he was nervous for the squad. This was it. It was his last tournament in the Junior Dueling tourney. His hold out chance to leaven himself as captain and earn a spot on Gryffindor 's dueling team next yr.

All four captain of the house dueling team were present at this tournament because they would be handwriting selecting players for their team next year. Unlike Quidditch, there were no try-outs for the dueling tournament.

"Last tournament being on Malfoy 's team,"Amanda commented as Malfoy dueled a young woman from Ravenclaw.

"Thank God,"Albus muttered. He could n't expect until he no longer had Malfoy on his team."At least he 's acting normally today."

"At least he showed up,"Amanda pointed out.

"Point to Malfoy !"Neville shouted."Albus Potter and Matt Eckerton."

Albus groaned inwardly. He always felt awe-inspiring when he had to duel flatness because their attainment levels were so drastically unlike. At the Same clip he did n't want to go slowly on his friend because the Gryffindor team captain was watching.

Albus and Matt bowed to each early and raised their verge. Albus thought a still apologia as he shot a Stunner at his best friend. lustrelessness dodged it and sent one back. Albus threw up a shell and then sent three consecutive Stunners. The tertiary one made link and Matt collapsed onto the floor, frozen.

"Point to monkey !"Neville declared. He waved his wand at Matt and the spell lifted.

"Sorry, mate,"Albus said as he helped Matt up.

"Do n't be,"Matt replied."You 're definitely getting on the team next year."

Albus won his second duel as well. His squad continued to win most of their duels, with some of his teammate winning their first affaire d'honneur ever. Amanda had begun a run of all the points on a spare part bit of parchment and their team was winning, with only a few affaire d'honneur left to go.

Kaden wound up dueling one of the Ravenclaws from Albus 's squad during the last duel of the day. Kaden lost spectacularly, which Albus was both happy and upset about.

A few minutes later Neville stepped into the center field of one of the dueling rings."I am proud of to announce that we have a winner of both today 's tournament and the year 's tourney boilersuit. Congratulations to team up seven for winning both today and the tournament overall ! Captain Albus Potter, delight come forward to accept the trophy."

Albus was momentarily stunned, until Amanda nudged him. The intact Great foyer was applauding as he stepped over to the dueling anchor ring. They 'd done it ! After a year, they 'd finally done it !

Albus shook Neville 's hand while a Hufflepuff took their picture. The trophy was a bit smaller than the Quidditch Cup, but certainly not small by any means. After a few Sir Thomas More photo were taken, including one shot of the total team, Albus joined Amanda and the two of them walked back to the mutual room.

"When will you find out if you got on Gryffindor 's dueling team ?"she asked as they walked.

"Not until the summer,"Albus said."They send out letters."

"You 're pretty much guaranteed a office, after that win,"Amanda said."Malfoy, too, probably. And then you 'll get to duel each other."

"I 'm looking forward to that,"Albus said."Just a bit."

"Me, too,"Amanda agreed.

Albus 's supporter were waiting in the common elbow room when he and Amanda arrived. They offered congratulations and Butterbeer, which Albus drank quickly before heading international for Quidditch practice.

Later that night, between his happiness about the win and exhaustion from Quidditch recitation, Albus slept better than he had in calendar month.
***


In April 's last continue days the Daily vaticinator published at least one article a day on Laurentis and her upcoming swearing-in ceremony, as well as her picks for top officials. Albus had n't recognized any names of the official, or the names of their chore. Mostly they were problem such as the one his Uncle Percy held under parson Hartwell. Laurenits, as it seemed, was waiting until she became Minister to discover the big posture, such as Albus 's dad 's position.

The Gryffindor table was unusually restrained the morning of May first. Albus, along with all his full cousin, were n't saying a word. Albus was thinking of his uncle Percy and how this should 've been his day, not Laurentis 's, and he was sure his cousins were thinking the like.

"I wish one of us could go to her ceremonial,"Amanda said as she read the prophesier."It 's not going to be the same reading about it tomorrow."

"I heard they 're listening to it on the wireless in politics today,"John said."Wish we had it today. That would be much better than having actual class."

"I just want to do it if my dad 's out of a job,"Albus said.

"Will he be completely sacked ?"Kaden asked.

"No. He just would n't be Head Auror anymore,"Albus answered."It 'd still be frightful, though."

"Lapp here,"Matt agreed."Amy said that Dad 's really nervous about it."

"What time is it happening ?"Rose asked.

"Ten-thirty,"Amanda said after consulting the paper.

"Right after account of Magic,"Rose mused."So you lot will have Care of Magical beast and I 'll have Arithmancy. Is anyone else thinking that we should part out Uncle George 's best-selling intersection this dawning ?"

Albus thought he heard her wrong. Was his full cousin actually suggesting they skip class ?

"wait, blush wine,"whoremonger said."Are you saying we should skive off category ?"

rose wine grinned."I think this is going to be a bit more educational. I say we skive and sports meeting in the piranha 's Den to take heed on the wireless."

"I 'm in,"Albus said immediately. can, Matt, Amanda, and Kaden agreed.

"We 've got to plan it carefully, though,"Rose said."We ca n't all get ill at the Lapp time or it 'll look suspicious."

"I 've got a free period starting at ten-fifteen,"Kaden said."So I 'm all set."

pink wine nodded."That leaves five of us. Matt, do you have an topic with skipping all of History of trick ?"

Matt laughed."Of track not."

"trade good. I think you ought to just skive off without using a Skiving Snackbox. No one will suspect anything."

"Aw, why ca n't I do that ?"John asked.

"Because if someone finds out and asks it 'll be light for lusterlessness go just say he felt ill, rather than you. I 'll use a nosebleed nougat in Arithmancy since I 'm the only one of us in that class. Al, trick, Amanda, two of you can use something in History of Magic and then the other one can use something right at the outset of Care of Magical animal. We meet in the Marauder 's Den by ten-thirty."

With the plan decided upon, they set off for their dawn classes. bathroom begged to be the one who used a puking pastille first in History of Magic and Albus and Amanda let him. He seemed strangely excited about it. Albus was just going to use the pyrexia fudge.

Professor Binns began droning on about the Giant state of war, a topic he seemed to enjoy for some reasonableness. He taught it each and every year without fail. Albus doodled aimlessly on his notes while taking hole-and-corner glance at John every so often.

"Um, Professor ?"John announced ten minutes into the class.

Binns turned around, looking confused. It was rare that anyone ever interrupted him."Yes, Mr. Broggs ?"

"I do n't feel well-"toilet was cut off by his own vomiting. His table was now covered with a atomic reactor of puke.

"Yes, yes, off to the infirmary,"Binns said as he returned his attention to the blackboard.

John hastily shoved the other end of the sweet into his oral fissure and vanished the nauseant before grabbing his bag ( which he never unpacked ), and left the room.

Amanda was next. She, like Albus, went the condom road and had decided upon the fever fudge. prof Binns hardly seemed to notice that she felt ill, despite her announcing it to the class. He just waved her out and continued his speech. Albus could 've probably used his own fever fudge right then and there, but he did n't think it was Worth the pocket-size risk.

Albus decided to eat the pyrexia fudge on his way to aid of Magical Creatures so he could leave immediately after arriving. The predator 's Den was quite a walk from Hagrid 's hut and he did n't want to lack any of the ceremony.

He felt the essence of the fudge before even reaching Hagrid 's Hut. He had n't had a febricity in old age and had forgotten just how awful they were.

"Hagrid ?"Albus asked as soon as he arrived.

"Albus !"Hagrid exclaimed."How are yeh ?"

"Not in force,"Albus answered."I feel ill."

Hagrid 's font fell."Yeh don'look so well. punter go see Madam Pomfrey."

Albus nodded and turned around, walking quickly up the track. Once he was out of sight of Hagrid, he shoved the other half of the febrility fudge into his lip and felt immediately better. He 'd done it !

By the time he arrived at the Marauder 's Den it was nearly ten-thirty. The sleep of his friends were already there, huddled around a very old looking tuner.

"Albus !"Rose exclaimed."Nearly thought you would n't make it !"

"I practically ran here,"Albus said as he tossed his bag onto the floor and took a fanny next to his cousin.

"Shhh !"Amanda said."It 's starting !"

"Good morning, listeners. We are broadcasting bouncy from courtroom Ten in the Ministry of trick, where just transactions from now Patricia Laurentis will be sworn in as Minister of Magic for the United realm. It is standing way only in the courtroom, with additional looker in the corridor."

Suddenly there was thunderous hand clapping, drowning out the commentator 's voice. It died down a few minutes later.

"Patricia Laurentis has entered the courtroom. She is making her way down the aisle, greeting masses on her way.

"Minister Hartwell, along with members of the Wizengamot are seated on the dais. Three senior members of the Wizengamot will swear Laurentis in."

More clapping. Then a new part. Albus recognized it as curate Hartwell.

"Welcome to the Ministry of Magic. It has been my pleasure to assist you over the past ten years. I 'd like to lead a moment to thank my party, Merlinus, for their support over the past decade, as well as all of my top officials and the rest of the Ministry employees. I 'll celebrate this brusque and just say that I am going to overlook serving you, but I have to admit that both my wife and I are looking forward to taking a Nice, long holiday."

laughter, followed by applause.

"Thank you, minister of religion Hartwell,"someone else said. Albus assumed it was one of the Wizengamot member."Ms. Laurentis, if you would delight pace forward."There was a break."Please repeat after me. I do hereby avow to do the United Kingdom-"

"I do hereby sustain to swear out the United Kingdom-"

"-to the in effect of my ability-"

"-to the proficient of my ability-"

"-and keep on to the saint of the Paracelsus party-"

"-and keep to the nonesuch of the Paracelsus party-"

"I swear to heed to the people and do what is best for them-"

"I swear to listen to the citizenry and do what is best for them-"

"-regardless of whether it is best for myself or the Ministry."

"-regardless of whether it is best for myself or the Ministry."

"I hereby declare Patricia Laurentis as the third Minister of deception post-War as of the first of May, 2020, at football team o'clock in the morning. Ms. Laurentis, congratulations. Please welcome your new minister of religion of conjuration, Patricia Laurentis !"

There was a handful of polite clapping, much tranquil than the previous applause for Hartwell. Albus supposed it was a good function and no one wanted to seem too rhapsodic.

"That was spry,"Albus said.

"She 's going to lay down a speech now,"blush wine said."Shhh."

"Thank you,"Laurentis said as the clapping died down."It is an honor to be standing before you as your Minister of Magic. I would wish to begin by thanking the Paracelsus party for nominating me as candidate and supporting me throughout my successful campaign-"

"Does she really need to say it was a successful campaign ?"Saint John the Apostle asked."I mean, it 's obvious that it was successful."

"Shut up !"rose said.

"-without your support I would never suffer made it this far. I hope I am able-bodied to know up to the eminent outlook set by you and diplomatic minister Hartwell. I am sure you are all dying to listen who I am appointing to Head of Department positioning in the Ministry, so I wo n't knock off any time getting to that."

Albus 's center sped up. He glanced up and met Matt 's gaze. Matt looked just as spooky as Albus felt.

"First, the department of Magical Law Enforcement. I am please to announce that genus Tethus Balladanis will be taking over for onetime Head, Reena Barnes."

"What ? !"Albus exclaimed."Did I hear her right wing ?"

"Balladanis ?"rose shouted at the Lapp time."But he did n't even like the Ministry, did he ?"

"He said it was too restrictive,"Albus said."I guess he likes Laurentis."

Matt groaned."That means he 's going to be around all the metre. Not here, but this country."

"I definitely did n't see that one coming,"whoremaster said.

"Laurentis, Balladanis, Malfoy 's dad ..."Amanda mused.

"Shh !"Albus said."I heard her say Auror Department."

"-Robert Johnson will be replacing Harry ceramicist as question of the Auror Department-"

There was an audible gasp from the audience. Albus sat stunned, processing the information. office of him had been expecting this, but now that it had actually happened, it was still a daze. It was very similar to the election results.

"I understand that this is a controversial option, but I feel that the Ministry needs to be a united front end. I assure you that Henry Martyn Robert Dr. Johnson is an excellent Auror and will make a wonderful read/write head of Department."

Albus tuned the wireless out once Laurentis went on to the department of Magical Transportation. He could see his heart pounding in his head and the rest of the world seemed so far away. It was almost surreal.

"Albus ?"Rose asked."Are you all right ?"

"I do n't know,"Albus said."She 's insane, right ?"

"Honestly, Albus, I 'm not surprised,"rose said quietly."And your dad still has a job."

"But it 's the statement she made by doing it,"Amanda pointed out."She 's implying that he 's bad at his job."

"Exactly,"Albus said, glad that Amanda was able to put into words what he felt."first Uncle Percy lost and now this."

"-Walter Eckerton will remain Head of the Department for the Regulation and command of Magical Creatures-"

"Thank God !"Matt exclaimed.

"goodness,"Albus said."At to the lowest degree there 's mortal sane still in a Head position."

Albus only paid vague attention to the rest of the declaration. He did n't pick out anyone, except for Malfoy 's dad when Laurentis reiterated that appointment. One affair was absolved by the end, and that was no one in Albus 's folk was in any of the mind locating.

Rose switched the wireless off at the end of Laurentis 's actor's line. The wizard doing the broadcast was interviewing a few people, but they were n't anyone of heavy grandness.

"Do you require to go to lunch ?"Rose asked after a few minutes.

"Yeah, I suppose so,"Albus said as he stood up.

It was clear up that intelligence had spread when Albus and his acquaintance reached the Great Hall. Whichever socio-economic class had had politics during the manner of speaking must 've shared the news with the entire castling, because everyone stared at Albus as he walked in. He did n't make eye contact with anyone and made a beeline for the Gryffindor tabular array, where he sat down next to James.

"So you heard,"James said quietly.

"I skived off class to take heed live,"Albus explained."She wants a united ministry. What a load of flying lizard dung."

"This is bad,"James said."This is really bad."

"She 's replaced more officials than any minister, ever,"rosebush commented."She only kept three."

"I still have no estimation why she kept my dad,"Matt replied."I mean, I 'm gladiolus she did, but it does n't make any sense."

"nothing she 's doing makes a bit of sense,"Albus muttered."But I guess people must wish her. She got elected."

"But now that she 's elected she can nominate who she wants,"Amanda said."I do n't reckon anyone actually thought she 'd put back your dad. I 've only been in the wizarding earthly concern for four age and even I know that everyone loves your dad."

That 's what Albus had always thought, too. He hated the fact that he was always in the glare because of it, but it was a constant. It was normal for him. Now, he did n't sleep together what to think.

"tone,"Amanda said as she pointed to the staff table."I do n't think the teachers expected it, either."

Albus glanced up. Every single prof was late in conversation, some even ignoring their food. Neville in fussy looked stunned and swage. None of them looked happy.

Albus 's own home base was still empty and he had no desire to fill it. For as long as he could recollect his dad had been Head of the Auror department, a job that he loved. Being the man who defeated Voldemort had given him an aureole of being the ultimate Auror, something that had stayed with him for over twenty days. Now, so many year later, it seemed to Albus that it was wearing off.

It was May first, 2020, almost exactly 23 years after his dad had defeated Voldemort. Albus thought it was slightly ironical that this had happened almost to the day, 23 eld later.

Albus looked around at his fellow Gryffindors. He knew that to a greater extent than a few of them had voted for Laurentis, and therefore most belike supported her decision to replace his dad as Head of the Auror department. Not everyone was talking in whispering, with disquieted expressions. A few mathematical group were laughing, like they did n't have a care in the world. Either they just did n't care about Laurentis 's conclusion, or they supported it. The thought was very enervate. Laurentis herself was unsettling to Albus, and the more he thought about it, the more he did n't like that she was now the parson of Magic. He did n't like it at all.


A/N : Thanks for all the lovely reviews !


The following workweek brought a slew of articles stating and re-stating everything Laurentis said in that first address. A inclination of the new Ministry official was printed multiple times. Albus found the editorials more concern than the actual articles, mostly because there were quite a few proclaiming how dullard it was of Laurentis to plunder Harry thrower. However, it was n't until nearly a calendar week after Laurentis officiall became Minister that an article completely captured Albus 's attending was published.

DEMENTORS TO RETURN TO AZKABAN ;
HOGWARTS TO SEE CHANGES

Newly elected curate of Magic
Patricia Laurentis officially signed
the law that will play Azkaban back
under the control of the dementors
late last Nox. Laurentis hopes
to get the dementors back by later
next week. 'This has been a end
of mine for years and I am very
happy that it is finally happening.
The wizarding Earth will be far
safer now that our criminals will
be guarded once Sir Thomas More by dementors .'

Bringing the dementors back to Azkaban
is the first of many alteration the new
curate will be enacting over the
adjacent few week. Laurentis 's next
architectural plan is to enact changes at Hogwarts.
'Over the succeeding few weeks I will be
sending example from the
Department of Magical educational activity to
observe each prof. Each
professor will be required to submit
their curricula to the illustration
as well .'Professors planning on
retiring at the end of this year
will be exempt from this requirement,
as no changes will take place before
the end of term.

"fountainhead, she 's done it,"Albus said as he set the clause down."A week from now Azkaban will have dementors."

"Mad,"Amanda muttered."She 's mad !"

"And she 's sending people to observe the teachers,"Albus said.

Amanda grabbed the article from Albus and scanned it quickly."Are any of them retiring ?"

"I did n't guess so,"Albus said."But a few of them are quite old."

As if on cue, professor Kendrick stood up."May I have your attention ? Thank you. virtually of you, I am sure, have read the Prophet. Over the following few workweek every professor will be observed during one of his or her classes. I ask you all to ignore the representative and go about class as if they were n't there. That is how the Ministry will scoop get an apprehension of how things work at Hogwarts. Now, Professor Slughorn has an promulgation to make."

Professor Slughorn stood, although he was so short that it hardly made a difference. He looked a bit skittish and Albus got the intuitive feeling that he rarely ever addressed the total student body at once.

"Yes, thank you, professor Kendrick,"Slughorn said."I just wanted to say you all at once that I am going to retire at the end of term. I 've enjoyed my clip at Hogwarts, but it 's high clock time I retire for good."

"Ten Galleons says he decided to retire after finding out he had to submit his curricula to the Ministry,"Rose whispered after Slughorn sat back down.

"I 'm sure enough you 're right field,"Albus agreed."Dad said he did n't even want to come back when our parents were in school."

"What about Thomas Young ?"Kaden asked."He doesn't even have a curriculum."

Albus burst out laughing."I had n't even thought of that. Bet he gets sacked."

"So that 'll be two new prof next year,"John said.

rose groaned."And in our O.W.L. class, too."

"Do n't say that word !"James River, who was sitting about five fundament down from Rose, shouted.

rose wine raised her eyebrow."What word ?"

"O.W.L,"St. James said with a tremor."They 're only a month away."

"Guess you should 've started studying earlier,"Rose said.

"Shut up,"James muttered.

Henry James was n't the only one to make forgotten about O.W.L.s amidst all the election newsworthiness. There seemed to be more excited studying than usual, and not just from the fifth and seventh long time. The entire castle had neglected to study for their end-of-term test. Later that night Albus, lavatory, Rose, Amanda, and Kaden joined the throngs of masses vying for table in the library in orderliness to cram in as very much perusing as potential. lustrelessness could n't join them, as it was the wide moon.

However, Albus had a operose time concentrating. His every thought process was focused on the dementors in Azkaban or his dad 's job or the Ministry interpreter at Hogwarts. pink wine, Amanda, and even Kaden were focusing on their studying. John was playing with his pinion. Suddenly, he stood up.

"Kaden ?"he asked."Think now would be a good sentence ?"

Kaden grinned, setting down his record."Yeah, I think so."

"We 'll see you lot later,"John said as Kaden got up."Do n't ask."

"That was weird,"Rose said once the two boys left.

"It 's probably their prank,"Albus pointed out.

Rose groaned."They 're compensate. I do n't want to know."

Albus had assumed that this would be a prank that would make itself known right away, as nigh of John and Kaden 's pranks worked that way. But by the next morning things seemed perfectly fine at Hogwarts. The Slytherins'haircloth was still normal colors and everything seemed becalm and quiet. John and Kaden kept grinning at each former, so Albus was sure they 'd done something.

It took another full phase of the moon day for things to plunk up. Albus first noticed it at breakfast, when some of the Slytherins seemed a bit uncertain. They were squirming in their butt and did n't seem able-bodied to sit still. But it was only a few of them.

Albus raised his eyebrows questioningly at John the Evangelist and Kaden.

"Should we tell him ?"John asked.

"Oh, I suppose now we could,"Kaden said as he leaned over to Albus."Itching gunpowder in their wash. The house-elves are very helpful with pranks."

Albus started laughing."Seriously ?"

Kaden nodded."Completely untraceable and the impression wo n't all come at once. It all depends on when they send their washing out."

"That 's genius,"Albus said. John and Kaden 's pranks were most definitely improving over the years.

"What 's wizard ?"

Albus looked up from his breakfast to see flatness nudging a firstly year over so that he could sit down in next to John.

"Madam Pomfrey let you out ?"Albus asked.

Matt nodded."Yeah, I think she wanted me to detain longer, but I told her I needed to examine. Why are these two virtuoso ?"

"We did our prank on the Slytherins,"Saint John explained and then lowered his vocalization."Itching powder in their laundry. The house-elves helped."

"Okay, that is pretty awesome,"Matt said."You wo n't get caught, either."

"Nope, it 's not likely,"John said."So, what should we do today ?"

"Study."

Albus looked up once Sir Thomas More and saw that this time Rose and Amanda had appeared, both heavily ladened down with Holy Scripture and stacks of parchment. They wore identical look of determination.

"You 're all studying. All day,"blush wine continued."examination are in a month and none of us are train. The election happened, it sucked, but it 's over. Nothing can be done. Albus, you 've been moping about your dad 's job for a week. whoremaster, Kaden, I 'm check that you do well this year. flatness, the to the full moonshine is over. All four of you are studying from now until exams."

"Aw, Rose, c'mon-"

"No,"blush wine said."Studying. All of you. Amanda and I are going to get a table in the library and we expect all of you there in fifteen minutes."

Rose and Amanda left in a brandish of sheepskin and Book, leaving Albus and the early boys to stare at each early open-mouthed. Albus knew his cousin was very academic and placed a highschool value on her own education, but never before had she staged an intercession for his studying.

"She 's lost her mind,"trick said."If she 's like this now, what will take place future year for O.W.L.s ?"

"Do n't say that word !"Saint James the Apostle shouted from down the table.

"I suppose we have n't got a option, do we ?"Matt asked as he shoved his eggs into his lip."red cent, I only just got back."

That was true, Albus thought. He and his friends quickly finished their breakfast and hurried up to the program library, realizing once they arrived that they did n't have any of their books. They ran up to their dormitories to retrieve them and made it to the library five instant later than Rose insisted they be there.

rosebush and Amanda had shoved two board together and had spread all their books out over them. Madam Pince was sitting behind the circulation desk, looking at them curiously, as if she could not remember a clock time soul had frequented the library that early. The rest of the tabular array were deserted.

"What 's with the extra death chair ?"Albus asked as he dumped his Bible onto the table."There 's only six of us."

"Oh, that 's for Elsie,"rosiness said as she set lambskin down at each backside.

"As in Elsie Willinson ?"Albus replied.

"Yes, that 's the merely Elsie we know,"rose said."She needs assist studying and I 'm her tutor."

"But she 's Felix Willinson 's sister,"John pointed out.

"And she needs assistant, can,"rosebush said with a sigh."I 've been tutoring her all yr and I 'm not going to stop now."

flatness nudged St. John the Apostle."It 's not a bad thing. Maybe she 'll enjoin us what her brother and Malfoy have been up to all year."

Albus had n't thought of that. Of course, Rose had n't had any luck getting Elsie to talk all class, so chance were slim that he and the other male child would have success.

"Honestly, you lot are far too focused on Malfoy,"blush wine said."You 've hardly studied all twelvemonth. Just sit down and come out reviewing Transfiguration. I 've made study scout for every subject area. You should give them at your spots."

Albus picked a backside and sat down. Rose was organized to the point of insanity. There were in fact sketch guidebook for every subject, organized chronologically, from September until May. Albus was suddenly very grateful for his cousin, despite her obvious insanity. This was going to realise studying so much easier.

"Wow, thanks blush wine,"Albus said. The rest of the group muttered their agreement.

Rose smiled."See ? It was a undecomposed idea. Now, we 'll canvass until lunch and then have a break."

tiffin was about two hours away. That was n't too bad. Albus opened his Transfiguration book and settled in with that and the study usher. It took him about a half minute to influence through distractions, but soon his mind was only focused on Transfiguration.

Around him, the program library quickly filled up. fifth part and one-seventh eld seemed the most frantic about finding tables and searching the flock, but students from every twelvemonth and every star sign were introduce. ma'am Pince spent the dawn weaving throughout the mesa and looking over everyone 's articulatio humeri to micturate sure they were working on school workplace. With exams so near, the library was now closed to everyone who was n't going to revise.

Elsie Willinson showed up a little after eleven. Albus watched as she tentatively made her way over to the table, clearly unsure of studying with so many people. Albus was struck again by how similar she looked to Felix. It always sort of amused Albus when siblings looked so alike, since he did n't really resemble either of his siblings. But Felix and Elsie Willinson were incredibly like in looks.

Once rose noticed Elsie, she immediately stood up and beckoned the start yr over. Elsie seemed less unquiet now that Rose knew she was there, but she still avoided eye contact as she sat down and pulled her account book out of her bag. Rose whispered something in her ear and she began reading her charms book.

Albus sighed and returned to his own body of work. Getting Elsie Willinson to blab out was going to be much more difficult than he thought.
***


rosebush 's alteration sessions continued throughout the month of May. Albus did n't care to admit it out loud, but they were incredibly helpful and he was n't sure he would pass his exam if it were n't for Rose. As the month progressed, the seance grew both in length and the issue of participants. By the end of the first week their subject mathematical group had grown to admit Jesse James, Ben, Cedric, and their friend Nathan, who all now feared failing their O.W.L.s.

Albus and James I missed a few sessions for Quidditch practice, but as the Quidditch final Drew finisher, both of them agreed that Quidditch was just as authoritative as studying. Bradley and Calluna vulgaris were becoming more and more anxious about the final, since it would limit whether Gryffindor won the Quidditch Cup. They were currently only a few spot behind Ravenclaw and if they pulled off a win in the final exam, they would most likely win the cup as well.

The catch took place a week before O.W.L.s were scheduled to begin and Albus awoke more nervous than he had been for a Quidditch match in ages. The match itself was going to be bittersweet since it would be the finish time he played with heather mixture and Fred as the other Chasers on Gryffindor 's team. side by side year he 'd have two new pursuer and that was going to be incredibly strange.

Albus headed down to breakfast before his friends and encountered a few particularly itchy Slytherins on his way. Giggling to himself and enjoying the fact that St. John and Kaden 's prank was still going on, weeks later, he entered the Great Hall. On his way to the Gryffindor board, he was distracted by the quite a little of Malfoy, speaking with Felix Willinson, while carrying an all-night bag.

Deciding that breakfast could await, Albus crept over to the Slytherin mesa and attempted to scrunch down behind a few one-seventh class. Unfortunately the Great student residence was too loud for right eavesdropping, and Albus made a vow to always make an extendible Ear on his someone from now on.

Malfoy stepped away from Felix Willinson and turned, allowing Albus to bet at his face. He looked terrible. His eyes were red and it looked like he had n't slept in daylight. Very strange, Albus thought, as he rose to watch over Malfoy out of the room.

Once in the entering Hall, Malfoy immediately ran up the staircase, going far too flying for Albus to follow. Albus stood next to the door to the Great Hall thinking about what Malfoy 's actions meant.

He was clearly upset about something, but what was it ? The all-night bag implied that he was going to be leaving the castle, but why ? Albus thought back to the dueling tournament that Malfoy missed. The two incidents must be connected, and it was quite possible that the letter Albus and Amanda saw Malfoy reading months ago was connected as well.

Albus did n't mention Malfoy to his admirer when they came down to breakfast a few minutes later. As much as Albus wanted to discuss it with them, he knew that he needed to put it out of his mind for the duration of the couple. If there was ever a mates for Albus not to be distracted, this was it.

The spunk on the team were palpable as they stood waiting to walk onto the pitching. Fred did n't even apply a spoken communication, since everyone knew how important the match was, both to Fred and Heather.

Ravenclaw had a in effect Quidditch squad. They were easily the best team in the school, although almost Gryffindors would disagree. But the Gryffindor team was determined in this match, causing them to act as fiercer than ever before.

Albus flew faster than he ever had before. He, Fred, and Scots heather had always worked very well together, but during this match it almost seemed like they were one entity, sharing one brain. Albus 's entire psyche was focused on Quidditch and Quidditch only. Gone were the opinion of his dad 's job, Laurentis, and Malfoy.

The compeer only lasted an hr. Albus had n't even realized that James caught the Snitch until the whistle was blown. Gryffindor won 420-260, their full win yet that yr.

"We did it !"Fred shouted as he landed."We 've won the Cup !"

Albus could n't even hear the commentary over the thunderous applause of the spectators. prof Longbottom was holding the Quidditch Cup high over his head and was making his way through the crowd to Fred. Fred took the Cup and held it out to Calluna vulgaris. Each held one side and raised it up. The Gryffindors were storming the pitch and Albus was sept up in the crowd, making it unmanageable to reach his team. Once he did, somebody snapped their picture.

Albus was the happiest he 'd felt in hebdomad, ever since his team won the Dueling Tournament. It was his third year on the Quidditch squad and they finally won the Cup. But he was even to a greater extent happy for Fred and broom than he was for himself since they 'd both been on the team since their minute twelvemonth and had never won the Cup.

heather mixture had tears streaming down her look and Fred was grinning blanket than Albus had ever seen him. While neither of them were pursuing a career in Quidditch, Quidditch had been their lives for the past six class. Winning the Cup in their 7th year seemed more touching than it would take in winning it any former year. Albus hoped that Gryffindor 's team was still as good as it was now when he got to seventh year. Winning again in his conclusion year would be the best look in the cosmos.
***


"Malfoy really did will the castle,"Amanda announced at breakfast the next day.

"How did you encounter that out ?"Albus asked.

"Weirdly enough, Moaning Myrtle."

"How would she have it off ?"

"I 've no idea,"Amanda said as she grabbed a few slices of toast."I did n't ask."

"Well, I just found out why he left,"Rose said as she set down the prophesier."His grandpa passed away."

"As in Lucius Malfoy ?"Albus said, taking the paper."The ex-Death Eater ?"

"One in the same,"rose wine said."His obit is in there."

"Why were you reading the obituary ?"Matt asked.

"I was n't trying to. I was flipping through and happened to see it. It says he 's been ill for a while,"Rose explained.

"That explains why he 's been acting so odd all twelvemonth,"Amanda said.

"And that belly laugh he got months ago,"Kaden added.

Albus glanced at the obituary but did n't read it. As much as he disliked Malfoy, he could n't aid but feel sorry for him. Albus could n't imagine what it would be like to lose his grandfather, and despite Lucius Malfoy 's obvious faults, he was still Scorpius 's gramps.

"I feel sort of bad for yelling at him about skipping that dueling tournament,"Albus muttered.

"You did n't live,"lav said."And it 's not like he explained."

"Is n't anyone else a bit preoccupied with the fact that Moaning Myrtle knew about him leaving the castling ?"Matt asked."She never leaves her loo. We saw Malfoy going into her loo a few calendar week ago. Does n't that look a bit too coincidental ?"

"You think he 's become chummy with Moaning Vinca minor ?"Albus asked.

Matt shrugged."It looks like he has. Why else would she know about it ?"

"But why would he go into a girl 's loo ?"John asked, wrinkling his olfactory organ."That 's just bloody insane."

"phone like we need to pay a visit to myrtle,"Albus said.

rose wine groaned."Really, Al ? He just lost his grandfather for God 's sake."

"We 're not going to bother Malfoy,"Albus said."We 're just going to babble out to Myrtle."

"Count me out,"rose said, shaking her head.

"But you 're a missy,"Albus pointed out."You could get in there so a good deal comfortable. Amanda ?"

"Sorry, Albus, but I 've really got to study,"Amanda said.

"We 'll go at Night, then,"Albus decided."John, Kaden, matt ? Which of you is going with me ?"

"Not me,"Matt said immediately.

"I 'll go,"King John said.

"You 're both mad,"rose wine said quietly."Mad."

Albus may get been mad, but he could n't let this mystery go. His gut was telling him that Malfoy was up to something, despite his grandfather 's passing, and Albus was determined to chance out what it was.


A/N : Sorry that the update is a day late ! I was really busy yesterday and did n't cause a luck to update. Thanks for all the endearing critique ! I am very behind on answering them, but I 'll finish eventually !


The program to talk to Myrtle in the dead of dark may experience been a program that belonged solely to Albus and John, but Rose still had somewhat of a say over when it happened. Exams were now only a week away and rosiness was only giving them one dark off, for repose and clearing stress from the head. Neither Albus or John dared cross rose wine and hop-skip out on rescript, which took place in the library until curfew and then in the common room until they all went to bed.

Their one dark off occurred the night before their first exam. O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s had been going on for a full week, but none of the fifth or seventh long time were taking any night off, including Jesse James. Despite Rose 's insistence that he take a nighttime off, Henry James insisted upon studying. It was quite a switch.

Albus and toilet spent the evening playing Bromus secalinus with Kaden. Matt had turned in early, still tired from the full moon, which had taken place two days earlier. blush wine and Amanda had disappeared into their dormitory, clearly set upon having some time away from the boys.

The common room emptied as the Night progressed, and eventually St. John and Albus were the only 1 left. It had n't taken long since most people went to bed too soon because of exams. It was probably fairly stupid person of Albus and John to stay up so late, but neither of them cared.

They waited an additional XV second in font somebody decided to pass to the common room, but no one did. Albus glanced at John and then pulled the invisibility Cloak and the Marauder 's Map out of his bag. He carefully unfolded the map and set it out on the table. The seacoast was clear.

Albus and John stumbled out of the portrait mess and once they righted themselves, Albus threw the Cloak over them, under the Fat dame 's stern gaze.

"Do n't expect me to let you in when you return,"she said."I 'm quite exhausted."

The Fat noblewoman was always threatening this but she never seemed to pretend adept on any of her threats. Ignoring her, Albus and toilet set off along the corridor. John the Divine led the way while Albus kept his eyes glued to the Map, but the corridors remained empty. It seemed everyone, both pupil and professors, were getting a good Nox 's rest before exams. Everyone that is, except for Albus and John.

Moaning Myrtle was the merely resident of the second base girl 's bathroom. John quietly pushed the door open and Albus followed him in. Once inside, Albus pulled the Cloak off and held it under is decent arm.

"Myrtle ?"Saint John shouted as he stepped into the room.

A splashing auditory sensation came from the last stall and then Myrtle 's ghostly form floated through the closed stall doorway."son ? Why do n't you go use your own-"Myrtle cut herself off with a giggle. She floated toward Albus and John and rested on the sinks."Oh, it 's you. Albus potter. And his Quaker lavatory. Where 's lustrelessness ? I rather fancy him ...."

"He, er, was n't feeling well,"Albus said, hoping that Matt 's absence would n't put Myrtle off from talking to them.

On the contrary, Myrtle 's face lit up."Oh my ! I 've been feeling rather awesome today myself. It 's a face effect of dying, you know."

Albus did n't think dying had any face result former than dying and had always assumed being a ghost would n't be painful, but Myrtle was very odd.

"But why are you here ?"Myrtle asked."You never visit me unless you 're in detention. It 's rather disappointing. No one ever thinks to visit poor myrtle. Oh, Myrtle 's idle, they think, so she does n't take any visitant. Myrtle does n't take any friends ! All because she 's dead !"

"No, Myrtle, that is n't it at all,"Albus said quickly."It 's just, you live in a girl 's loo. We can only chaffer you now, in the middle of the night."

Myrtle let out a loud sigh."I suppose. You are n't the only male child who talk to me, you know. Some of them even dare come during the day. I suppose they 're a bit braver than you are, which is odd since they are n't Gryffindors."

Albus glanced at Saint John the Apostle. Maybe this was going to be easier than he thought. Vinca minor probably did n't take any commitment to Scorpius Malfoy.

"Which boys ?"Albus asked carefully, taking a step closer to Vinca minor.

"I only know one of their names,"Myrtle said with a giggle."I know his name because his father used to come and talk to me when he was in school. But his son is n't quite as talkative and he did n't seem to worry at all about me or my Death. He only wanted to jazz about the bedroom of Secrets-"

"The Chamber of Secrets ?"Albus exclaimed."Scorpius Malfoy wanted to make out about the Chamber of secret ?"

Myrtle brightened."Oh, you know him, too ! Yes, he did. He wanted to know exactly where the incoming was. He 'd already done quite a bit of research on it in the library. Rather odd, I thought, for a Slytherin, spending so much clip in the depository library, but not in a bad way. But yes, he came in and asked me about the chamber and I told him about my death and he did n't quite sympathise the connection at inaugural. So I showed him the entrance and told him that he had to speak like a ophidian to get in but he could n't figure it out."

"He tried to verbalise Parseltongue ?"Albus asked.

Myrtle nodded."Sounded awful. Your dad was much respectable at it. Even that freckled boy managed to figure it out during the struggle of Hogwarts, but Scorpius Malfoy was truly fearsome at it. That 's when I met the other boy. Scorpius left and came back a few days later with this other boy. He showed him the entrance and then they started talking about this girl named Elsie and the former boy thought that she would be able to give the Chamber."

"And when was this ?"Albus asked. The early boy must have been Felix Willinson.

"Two weeks ago, maybe ?"Myrtle said."Do you know why he wanted to get into the Chamber of Secrets ? He refused to tell me."

"No,"Albus said, shaking his principal."We want to know, too."

"wellspring,"Myrtle began as she floated up to the ceiling."Please tell me when you find out. And next sentence, give sure that flatness comes to visit, too."

"Er, sure,"Albus muttered."Is there anything else you know about Malfoy ?"

"No,"Myrtle said."You 're going to go out now, are n't you ?"

"Yeah,"Albus said."Exams tomorrow."

Albus threw the Cloak back over himself and John and they left. On the way back Albus explained the bedchamber of Secrets to John, who only knew the seat by name. By the time they returned to the common way John was just as shocked as Albus was about why Malfoy seemed to want to get into the chamber of Secrets.

"Do you think Elsie Willinson can mouth Parseltongue ?"John asked as they climbed through the portrayal golf hole ( the Fat Lady had not refused them entry ).

"I do n't recognise,"Albus said."It 's very rare. I think we 're going to have to ask Rose."

"Bet she 'll love that, in the middle of exams,"whoremaster said with a laugh.
***


"Of grade I have no estimation if Elsie Willinson is a Parselmouth !"rosiness exclaimed the next day during their lunch break in between exam. Albus had just finished explaining what Myrtle had told them last night, as well as explaining the sleeping room of secret for mat, Amanda, and Kaden 's sake.

"Are you trusted she has n't mentioned anything ?"Albus pressed.

"Positive ! And honestly, Albus, you need to get this out of your psyche. It 's examination workweek. It 's not the time to be focusing on Malfoy. Whatever he does, it really does n't pretend you."

Albus knew that, but it did n't do a affair for his curiosity. The fact remained that Malfoy was acting oddly, and if Felix Willinson was involved, it could n't be anything well.

"They 're up to something, Rose,"Albus said."I 'm telling you."

Rose groaned."Albus, I do n't care."

"Oi, Albus !"James shouted as he jogged over to Albus 's bum."Did you see the Prophet this morning ?"

"No,"Albus replied. He, Matt, and lavatory had both slept too late to have breakfast before their first of all exam.

Epistle of James slapped a transcript down on the table in social movement of Albus."That feller, Robert LBJ ? The one who took Dad 's place ? He 's revamped the entire section, claiming that they 're going to induce a 99 % gaining control rate."

"99 % ?"Albus repeated as he looked at the newspaper publisher."That 's crazy."

JOHNSON REVAMPS AUROR DEPARTMENT

Newly appointed Head Auror, Henry M. Robert
President Lyndon Johnson, has spent the past month
revamping and reorganizing the Auror
Department. Johnson has rewritten
rules and regularization for the department
as well as reorganized how Aurors
work together. All Aurors have
attended workshops over the past month
to acquaint themselves with the
new rules and policies.

'The promise is that we will be able to
capture criminal faster and well-to-do ,'
Johnson said. 'The department has
been disorganized for years and this
has resulted in many criminals going
gratuitous for far longer than they should.
Between the new Auror department policies
and the reinstatement of the dementors
in Azkaban, we should be able-bodied to catch
more criminals and restrain them where they
belong- behind bars .'

While Johnson did not go into particular
of the insurance policy and rules, stating that
these are sealed documents, he assured
the wizarding public that they have
helped to streamline the department.
'With these new insurance policy I do n't see why
we should n't have a 99 % capture rate
within a twelvemonth .'

"What does that even mean, 99 % capture pace ?"Albus asked after setting the paper down.

"No idea,"James said."But I thought you 'd desire to see it. I 've got to go. Transfiguration Day practical this afternoon and I need to practice."

"I wish they 'd say what the changes actually were,"Albus said as his buddy left.

"They ca n't,"rose wine said."The theme is redress about that."

"It 's not like the department was frightful when Dad was in bearing,"Albus continued."He captured Greyback, did n't he ?"

"I think Laurentis is crediting lusterlessness 's dad with that,"rosebush commented."As much as it was both of them."

"That 's not bazaar,"matt said.

"No, it 's not,"blush wine said as she glanced at her watch."We 'd meliorate get going. chronicle of thaumaturgy exam."

Albus found it incredibly difficult to focus on his History of Magic exam, and while he was fairly sure he passed it, he knew he had n't done well. There was just too much to focalise on. Between Malfoy and the Auror Department, the last things Albus wanted to consider about were goblin insurrection and colossus wars.

Later that night rose wine held another field of study session in the subroutine library. Albus managed to sit following to Elsie Willinson, who ignored him completely. Albus spent More fourth dimension staring at the Marauder 's Map and figuring out the honest way to institute up the topic of speaking Parseltongue with Elsie than any genuine studying, but rosiness did n't appear to notice.

The follow two twenty-four hour period were nearly identical to the first base day of exam, with the exception of the subject area they were tested on. test in the good morning, tiffin, test in the afternoon, studying, dinner, then more studying. The monotony was starting to get on Albus 's mettle, but they were only halfway through examination week.

Elsie Willinson did n't designate up to the field of study session Wednesday evening. Albus was disappointed since he was finally going to land up the topic of speaking Parseltongue with her, no matter how effective it would be. Instead, he looked over his Potions tone while glancing at the marauder 's Map every so often.

"Albus, what exactly are you looking for ?"rosebush asked.

Albus did n't really want to say because he knew rosiness would just roam her eyes, but he also knew she would n't let go of the subject field until he explained."Malfoy. He 's going to go back to the missy 's loo, and when he does, I want to observe him."

"That would be stupid,"Rose said."face at the yesteryear three years. You 've gotten yourself involved with something dolt at the end of every year. Following Malfoy would just be asking for trouble."

Rose had a point, Albus knew, but he did n't care."It 's just Malfoy. He 's not going to snatch me."

"Famous last Good Book,"rose wine muttered."He 's probably just in his common room."

Albus checked the Map. Malfoy 's dot was definitely not in the uncouth room. Albus 's essence sped up as he checked the rest of the Map. It took him a spell, but then he spotted Malfoy 's dot, making its way down the second floor corridor. He was accompanied by none other than Felix and Elsie Willinson.

"He 's going,"Albus said."And he 's got Felix and Elsie with him. I 'm following him and you ca n't lay off me."

Rose groaned."Albus, don't-"

Albus ignored her and turned to the eternal sleep of his booster."Are any of you coming with me ?"

"I am."Albus was shocked to see that the voice belonged to Amanda. Usually Amanda agreed with Rose.

"Amanda, really ?"rose wine asked.

Amanda shrugged."I want a time out from studying and I 'm just as curious as Albus is."

"counting me out,"lusterlessness muttered, turning red."I 'm not going anywhere near Myrtle."

"She asked about you last fourth dimension,"John said with a grin.

matt turned even cherry."I 'd rather not know that."

"We 're in,"St. John said, speaking for himself and Kaden.

"You 've got an hour,"rosebush said."If you 're not back by then I 'm sending Professor Longbottom after you."

"We 'll be back,"Albus said as he stood up. As if to boost convince pink wine of this, he left his books sitting on the table. lav, Kaden, and Amanda did the Saame.

Albus did n't bother with the invisibility Cloak since it was n't past curfew. They 'd just have to mill around near the loo until the glide was clear and sneak in when no one was looking. All they needed was the Map for that.

The corridors were unusually empty and Albus attributed it to the fact that most of his feller scholarly person were doing some net second revision before the next day 's exams. It certainly made it easier to sneak into a female child 's loo.

Albus watched the Map as they went and Malfoy and both Willinsons'dots entered Moaning Vinca minor 's bathroom. They remained there for only a few instant, and then disappeared off the Map.

"They must 've gotten into the Chamber of mystery,"Albus explained."I bet the Marauders did n't know about it so they could n't have put it on the Map."

It took another five minutes for Albus, St. John, Kaden, and Amanda to get to the loo. Once there Albus burst the door clear and ran inside. He stopped short in presence of the sinks.

One of the sinkhole was gone, having sunk into the story. In its home was a large, pitch black fix. Vinca minor was floating above it, her middle bright.

"They did it,"myrtle said excitedly."Are you going to keep an eye on them ?"

"I guess this answers the query of whether Elsie Willinson can speak snake,"King John said.

"Is Matt ill again ?"myrtle asked.

"Er, yeah,"Albus said.

"He 's ill an awfully lot of the time,"myrtle said."Tell him to come see me when he 's better."

"Sure,"Albus said as he crept closer to the fix."I 'm going down there. You three are welcome to get together me."Albus was determined. He 'd come this far and he was n't going to stop now. He needed to calculate out what was going on.

"Is it a far dip ?"Amanda asked hesitantly.

"I think it 's more of a sloping trough,"Albus said."That 's what my dad said, anyway."

"There is n't a basilisk in there, is there ?"can asked.

"No,"Albus said."It 's dead."

"Then I 'm in,"John said.

"Me, too,"Amanda agreed.

"I 'd go down there even if there was a basilisk in there,"Kaden said."I 'll go first, if you want."

"Be my Guest,"Albus said, gesturing to the hole.

"If you die, you can live here,"myrtle said, giggling."I told Scorpius that and he told me that was another reason why he ca n't die down there. I do n't cogitate he likes me."

Albus ignored Myrtle and stepped aside so Kaden could jump-start into the golf hole. Kaden did so without a second coup d'oeil.

"Are you okay ?"Albus asked once he heard a thud.

"Yeah, I 'm fine !"Kaden shouted back.

Neither whoremaster or Amanda seemed be given to go next, so Albus stepped to the very edge of the trap and looked down. He could n't see a thing. Deciding that it was better to just do it and not call back too hard, he took a thick breath and jumped.

His dad had been right about it being more of a slide than a drop down. The pickle was More of a sloping pipe and it was n't a bad sliding board at all. Soon, Albus landed at the bottom and saw Kaden, who had lit his wand.

Albus lit his own wand and took a look around. The billet was very wet and it smelled dreadful. The bulwark were dripping with murky urine and the floor was covered in stone, mud, and what looked like old snake skin.

"I think we 're near the lake,"Albus said, nodding to the dripping piddle.

There was a whooshing stochasticity behind Albus and something crashed into him, knocking him over. Albus let out a belly laugh and turned to see it was only John, who had n't landed gracefully.

"Sorry,"John muttered as he lit his own scepter. There was now decent sceptre sparkle to see clearly. The place was creepy. That was the alone Word of God for it.

Amanda landed without knocking anyone over and lit her baton. Albus and Kaden waited for privy and Amanda to subscribe to a look around.

"What do we do now ?"Kaden asked.

"Energy Department anyone learn anything ?"Albus asked. It seemed utterly silent to Albus.

John shook his head."Matt should 've come. We need his werewolf hearing."

Albus nodded in agreement."I guess we just follow the tube. It looks like it only goes one way."

The others agreed. Albus led the way, his wand pointed in front of him, and they set off. No one spoke. No one made any noise whatsoever. Albus had his capitulum poised to hear even the quietest noise, hoping to hear some clue as to where Malfoy and the others had gone.

Ihey walked for what felt corresponding Swedish mile before they heard even the wispy of noise. Albus noticed numerous snake hide and the finger cymbals from decades-old animals. Then, just when Albus had a feeling they were reaching the end of the musical passage, he heard a voice, clearly, as if it was right wing side by side to him.

"Albus ceramist. Well, well, is n't this a pleasant surprise."

Albus recognized the voice. It was Jarrett Willinson.


Cliffhanger ! I know. I 'm evil. Thank you for all the wonderful reviews ! I will answer to them, but I 've been quite busy lately.

And now I 'll ingest a few here and now to brag. On the 16th I went to NYC for J.K. Rowling 's event for The Casual void. I got to meet her and get a signed copy of the Koran ! It was absolutely amazing. I blogged about it on the forum, so delight train it out !


Albus froze. He had n't heard that voice in over a class and part of him thought he would n't ever find out it again. He always assumed Jarrett Willinson had stayed in Australia, where absolutely no one was looking for him.

Slowly, Albus turned toward the voice. He pointed his lit wand in its guidance and saw that there was a very small-scale opening to his leftfield. It appeared to be another piping, but one much lowly than the one he and his friends had just been in. Albus crept toward it, trying not to bring in any noise.

He turned to John, Kaden, and Amanda."What do you cogitate ?"

"I think we should get out of here,"Kaden said immediately, stepping back."I thought we were just going after Malfoy."

"I bet Malfoy 's down there with him,"St. John said.

"But why ?"Amanda asked as she walked over to the piping. She stuck her straits in, making her representative echoey."Why would he follow back here ?"

"Can you see anything ?"Albus asked.

"Not much,"Amanda said, climbing fully into the pipe.

"We should just go back,"Kaden said, his voice wavering. All his bravery from being the first to enter the Chamber was gone.

"I do n't cognise,"Albus said."We 've come this far ..."

"Albus, I think Rose might 've been right,"Kaden said."Let 's just go-"

Kaden was interrupted by Amanda 's shrieking. There was a loud splash, a thud, and then more shrieking. Albus turned quickly back to the pipe. Amanda was gone, a small pile of detritus in her place.

"Amanda !"Albus screamed, stepping over to the pipe.

"Albus !"she shouted back."Help !"

"What 's happening ?"John asked.

"Told you we should 've gone back !"Kaden shouted.

"Well, we ca n't go back now,"Albus said, climbing into the pipe."C'mon !"

Albus had to crouch as he walked in gild to fit through the tube. Saint John and Kaden followed him, occasionally tripping over careen as they went. Albus splashed ahead of them, his wand lighting the few substructure in front of him. They followed Amanda 's shrieks until they grew muffled and disappeared all together.

Finally, the pipe emerged into a small chamber, not unlike a small version of the chamber they 'd just been in. It was wetter than the relaxation of the Chamber of Secrets and the far wall contained a metal grating that appeared to let out into the lake. But the water was n't going through it.

Albus 's attention, however, was n't focused on the magically contained lake water supply. Instead, his center drew to the collection of mass scattered throughout the chamber. He breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Amanda, in the grasp of Jarrett Willinson, who had his sceptre pointed at her head. Albus was just happy they found her. Jarrett was flanked by his son, Quinton, who was looking a bit unfit for wear. Azkaban did n't seem to make agreed with him and he now looked far sr. than his early twenties.

Scorpius, Felix, and Elsie were there as well, looking very uncomfortable. Elsie was shaking and had a death grip on her buddy 's hand. Scorpius stood next to them and he seemed very tip over. The only one who seemed at all okeh with the situation was Felix, whose face seemed to be coming from his sis 's traveling bag on his hand, not on the situation.

Albus did n't spot the other three adults at first. Then he remembered their mental picture from the Prophet. The shorter fair sex was Dolores Umbridge, her grey pilus greatly resembling a beehive around her head. Her hide was deeply wrinkled and she did n't practically resemble the person in the photograph, but her eyes and bizarre grin were the Sami. The early cleaning woman was about a foundation taller and just as ugly. Her hair was stringy and mostly brown, with stripe of Grey. Her nose was long, crooked, and boasted a large wart, giving her the look of a classic Muggle 's adaptation of a witch. All that was missing was the Green peel. The man resembled her, although he was unforesightful and more dumpy. Both were sneering. Albus assumed they were the Carrows.

"What are you doing here, potter ?"Scorpius asked, clearly trying to sound more confident than he was.

"Shut up, Malfoy,"Jarrett snapped."I 'll ask the query. And I can only take up they followed you three. Whether it was designed on your part, I have no idea."

"Ca n't we just go ?"Scorpius demanded."We did what you wanted-"

"No, no you did n't,"Jarrett interrupted."You did what your father wanted and then you did part of what we wanted. And therein lies the problem."

Albus was thoroughly confused. His eyes went from Jarrett to Malfoy and back again, attempting to image out what was going on. What exactly had Malfoy 's sire asked him to do ?

"I never said I 'd do what you wanted us to do,"Malfoy muttered, averting his gaze.

"And yet you did."Jarrett sneered.

"But I did n't want to !"Malfoy looked scared now. He pulled his wand out of his robes and held it up shakily.

"Oh, are you going to duel me ?"Jarrett asked, shifting Amanda in his arms so that he could repoint his sceptre at Malfoy.

"M-maybe."

Jarrett sighed."This is pathetic. I do n't like taking advantage of fragile tike, and yet here I am-"

"I 'm not fragile !"Malfoy shouted.

"You just lost your gramps,"Jarrett said."You 're tenuous. So is your father, and he 's easy to deceive."

"He is not !"

At that point Elsie started crying. It started out as small snivel but within ten irregular blew up into loud sobs. Everyone in the room turned to stare at her. Albus felt bad. It was obvious she had n't wanted to be here.

"Oh, shut her up !"Jarrett said.

"Elsie, you have to be smooth,"Felix muttered.

"I just want to leave, Felix !"Elsie sobbed."I did n't want to do this. You know I did n't want to do this !"

"You did n't have a alternative, Elsie. He 's our uncle and he needed our help."

"Could someone please just explain what 's going on ?"Kaden asked loudly."Or even well, let go of Amanda so we can get out of here and let you lot get back to whatever it is you 're doing ?"

Jarrett laughed."Oh, she 's not going anywhere. You three are free to leave. I really do n't care what the hell you do."

Albus exchanged glances with John and Kaden, who both shrugged. None of them were going to leave, of course of action, but Albus was utterly confused. For the yesteryear four geezerhood Jarrett and Quinton Willinson had tried to abduct him and now, all of a sudden, they wanted Amanda ? They 'd never wanted her before.

"Oh, you have n't put it together yet, have you ceramist ? I thought you were wise than that."

"Put what together ?"Albus asked, still confused.

Jarrett squeezed Amanda tighter."She 's the prime quantity parson 's niece, who happens to be a Wiccan. She 's currently the outflank bargaining silicon chip I could possibly feature. I only wish I 'd known about her earlier, but thanks to your uncle the entire wizarding human race knows she 's the Prime pastor 's niece. I must thank that newsperson.

"thrower, do you realize how bad Laurentis would face if anything happened to the Muggle Prime Minister 's niece a petty over a month after she took government agency ? And just solar day after her appointed Head Auror revolutionized the department ? Oh, it would take care frightening, Potter. So we, all of us, are going to sit tight until the Aurors get here and then I 'll make my demands and the Aurors will give in because if they do n't, I 'll drink down the Prime Minister 's niece."

Albus 's mouth fell open. He stared at Jarrett, whose grin resembled that of a individual who just won the lottery. Amanda looked terrified, her heart darting everywhere and a few roam tears running down her cheeks.

"Of course you can leave, potter,"Jarrett said."Go get your dad. Go get the other Aurors. It 'll only bring them here sooner. And do n't even try to hex me because if you do, this lot-"Jarrett gestured to the Carrows, Umbridge, and Quinton,"-will hex you. Your dad is n't a Ministry official anymore, thrower. It wo n't be as big of a crime if they hex you now."

Albus glanced at Umbridge and the Carrows. Umbridge did n't calculate like soul open of hexing anyone, given that she more closely resembled an unstable mental patient than a dangerous crone. But the Carrows, they looked equal to of slaying. As for Quinton, he was n't a good deal of a threat. Still, Albus, lav, and Kaden were more outnumbered than they ever had been before.

"But why ca n't we leave ?"Malfoy asked, his voice wavering."Or at to the lowest degree me ?"

"Because I might take you to do something else,"Jarrett snapped,"and I want you here because if I let you leave I doubt you 'll come back. I know you did n't bring us the girl. She came with thrower, following you."

"Why does it weigh ?"Malfoy asked."The point is she 's here now."

"I do n't recall you would 've ever brought her to me, Malfoy."

"You 're decent, I would n't ! And do you want to know why ? I never wanted to help you. That 's not why I agreed to this. I think you 're all idiots, to be honest."

Albus stared at Malfoy, completely shocked. Malfoy hated Albus, Amanda, and all their acquaintance, so why would n't he have brought Amanda to Jarrett ?

"Then why are you here, Malfoy ?"

"To help my dad !"Malfoy said, his wand still pointed at Jarrett."I did n't know you cretin were going to have a plot of your own."

Jarrett laughed."Now you 're the imbecile. You think we 'd have agreed to his plot if there had n't been something in it for us ? Meaning my son, here. Not these other three. I 'm not sure why they agreed to it. I 'm not even sure Umbridge knows where she is, actually. She has n't said much of anything since the escape."

"Do you really think you 're going to get anything out of this ?"Malfoy demanded.

"Yes, I do,"Jarrett snapped.

Malfoy narrowed his eyes and then whipped around. In a topic of seconds, he sent five consecutive hex at the Carrows and Umbridge. Umbridge collapsed immediately, not moving. The Carrows both went for their wand, but were too slow. Malfoy sent two Thomas More Stunners and the Carrows fell over, one on top of the other.

Malfoy turned back to Jarrett, breathing heavily."Looks like the odds are a trivial different now."

"Malfoy, what are you doing ?"Albus asked, still trying to envelop his mind around the fact that Scorpius Malfoy had just helped him.

"Shut up, Potter,"Malfoy muttered."I 'm not doing this for you."

"Scorpius, what is your problem ?"Felix asked, breaking devoid of his sis 's clench."I thought we were in on this together."

"I thought we were, too, until your uncle decided to do affair his way,"Malfoy said."It 's like I told you at the beginning ; I only did this for my father."

Albus still did n't know exactly what"this"was, but all that really mattered now was that they were no longer outnumbered.

"The Aurors are coming,"Malfoy said to Albus."If we can just hold them off-"

"How do you roll in the hay the Aurors are coming ?"Albus asked.

"That does n't count now,"Malfoy said as he sent a Stunner at Jarrett.

Albus turned to John and Kaden."focal point on Quinton and Felix. No law-breaking, but you are n't the best dueler and I do n't need you to hit Amanda."

whoremaster and Kaden nodded. Albus glanced at Malfoy, attempted to shake off the weird feeling he had from being on Malfoy 's English, and started sending hex after hex at Jarrett. Jarrett, clearly unable to duel while holding Amanda, threw up a shield and did n't hex back. Albus and Malfoy silently agreed to sustain going, in an attack to weaken the shield.

Albus heard a loud crash and turned to his right. Dust was settling near where the Carrows and Umbridge lay. Once it settled, Albus saw that a with child boulder had fallen from the roof and had landed on top of the female Carrow.

"I think she 's drained,"Kaden said.

Albus swallowed unvoiced. Death had never crossed his judgement when he 'd do down here. Trying to push it from his thoughts, he returned to hexing Jarrett 's shield.

Kaden shouted something Albus could n't make out and Albus turned just in time to see him set ashore against the wall. Albus ran over and knelt next to him."Kaden ! Kaden !"

Kaden stirred and looked at Albus."Albus ?"

"Kaden, thank God,"Albus whispered.

"I 've got an awfully headache,"Kaden muttered.

"Do n't fall asleep,"Albus said."Stay awake. You 've probably got a concussion."

Albus heard splashing and looked up. Five wizards stumbled through the pipe, their verge out.

"Wands up !"one of them shouted. Albus did n't recognize the part."nobody move !"

"Are they all here ?"another asked.

"I believe so,"the first one said as he walked around the way."Looks like the tip was correct."

"Not so fast !"Jarrett shouted."I 've got a few demands."

"You 're in no berth to make requirement,"the first Auror said.

"Albus ?"

Albus turned back to the pipe and let out a sigh of rest period. His dad had been the twenty percent Auror to get."Dad. Kaden needs to go the hospital annexe. Now."

Harry knelt down following to Kaden and assessed him."We 'll have this lot rounded up soon. Then I 'll convey him."

"Let go of the young woman, Willinson,"the world-class Auror said. He took a few whole tone forward and Albus was able to see the face of his face. It was Henry M. Robert Dr. Johnson, the new Head Auror.

"She 's the prime of life diplomatic minister 's niece,"Jarrett said."You 'd better be thrifty, or I 'll kill her."

"You 're outnumbered, Willinson,"Johnson said."I would n't try anything if I were you."

"It 'll be a immense scandal if she dies down here."

"Oh for God 's rice beer,"President Lyndon Johnson muttered."Expelliarmus !"Jarrett 's scepter flew in a perfect arc out of his hired man and Johnson caught it."Petrificus Totalus !"

Jarrett attempted to dodge the spell, but still keep detainment of Amanda. He failed and collapsed to the floor. Amanda ran forward and Harry caught hold of her, directing her to sit side by side to Albus and Kaden.

The Aurors conjured ropes and tied up Jarrett, Quinton, the Carrows, and Umbridge. None of them said a word and none of them questioned any of the suspects. If Albus had n't known any better, he would 've thought the Aurors knew exactly what they were going to notice down here. It was all very confusing.

Johnson and the three unfamiliar Aurors grabbed detainment of the criminals and took them out of the chamber. Harry was left with Albus and the repose of the students.

"Dad, what 's going on ?"Albus asked.

"I have my mistrust, but unfortunately I do n't own any validation,"Harry said."Let 's get you up to the hospital wing."

Harry carried Kaden, who had since passed out, and led the odd radical out of the bedroom and back to the pipe that led to Moaning myrtle 's john. Once there, he pointed his wand at the pipe and it turned into stairs. A few minutes later, they were back in the loo. Albus blinked a few times at the brightly lights and then his eyes rested upon Myrtle, who was floating near the far stall.

"You 're back !"she shouted."Is he dead ?"Myrtle gestured to Kaden.

"No,"Albus said."Just unconscious."

"Oh."Vinca minor seemed rather disappointed.

"Let 's go,"Harry said."infirmary wing."
***


Albus had no real reason to stay in the hospital annex. After muttering about how Albus and his friends were always getting into trouble, ma'am Pomfrey proclaimed him in perfect wellness. trick, Amanda, Scorpius, Felix, and Elsie were also very well. Kaden, on the other hand, had a concussion and was not allowed to log Z's. Albus, john, and Amanda remained in the infirmary wing with him. Rose and Matt joined them as well, despite the fact that it was well yesteryear curfew.

Harry left after delivering them to ma'am Pomfrey, but promised to retrovert in a few 60 minutes. That had been three hours ago and Albus was still waiting for him to come up back, and for an explanation. They 'd explained the stallion trial by ordeal to flatness and rose, who both agreed that Malfoy 's behavior was very strange.

The doors to the hospital wing finally opened and Harry walked in, looking incredibly exhausted. ma'am Pomfrey, upon seeing him, hurried off to her study.

"Kaden,"Harry said."How are you feeling ?"

"Like person ran my promontory over with a motortruck,"Kaden said.

Harry chuckled."You 'll feel better soon."

"What was that about, Dad ?"Albus asked."Why was it almost like the Aurors expected all the prisoner to be there ?"

Harry sighed."No one knows for sure. The official record is that they received an anonymous tip, but none of the prisoners are explaining why they were in the bedroom of Secrets or how they got in."

"When we were down there, Malfoy kept saying he was doing something for his dad, but he never said what it was,"Albus said.

"That helps confirm my theory,"Harry said."I suspect that Scorpius Malfoy, along with Felix Willinson, were instructed by Draco Malfoy to ascertain a desirable location to house the prisoner for safe-keeping until Aurors could be brought in to enchant them. This, of class, had to be done after the Auror department was reorganized by Robert Johnson, in parliamentary law to make both him and Laurentis look undecomposed. If Laurentis looks good, Draco Malfoy looks good."

"But that means that Laurentis and Dragon Malfoy knew where the captive were,"Albus said.

"Yes, yes it does,"Harry said quietly.

"Uncle Harry,"rose wine began."You do n't think that Laurentis organized that break-out, do you ?"

"It 's crossed my mind,"Harry said."But it 's irrelevant, because I have no proof. Nor do I have cogent evidence of my hypothesis about Draco Malfoy and his son. Alecto Carrow is bushed, Dolores Umbridge is clinically insane, and Amycus Carrow is n't talking. Jarrett and Quinton Willinson are n't talking, either, and I somehow doubtfulness Scorpius Malfoy will rat out his founding father. So, for now at least, this will remain a theory."

"But Dad, it 's illegal,"Albus said.

"It is,"Harry replied."Do n't worry about it, Albus. The captive are back in Azkaban, which is all that matters right now."

"But Dad-"

"Albus. bedevilment will do zero. In my experience, multitude who are taint like this are never able to keep it a enigma long. Whatever happens will happen."

"What about Scorpio ?"Amanda asked."Why did he switch sides like that ?"

"Scorpius Malfoy has had a rough out year. His granddaddy has been quite ill for a hanker time, which has put emphasis on both of his parents and thus, on him. I am sure he was pressured into this by his father and then when it came time for him to get further into it, by helping Jarrett Willinson get custody of Amanda, he realized he did n't want to be involved, not would his Father of the Church have wanted him to be involved."

"Is he going to get in bother ?"Albus asked.

"No,"Harry said."As far as the disk is concerned, Scorpius, Felix, and Elsie stumbled upon the prisoners just as you lot did."

"That does n't appear evenhandedly,"Albus muttered.

"No, it does n't,"Harry said."But on the former hired man, I think Scorpio Malfoy deserves a break this class. I think he 's grown up a lot over the past tense few months. You might find that he 's not quite the bully he used to be."

"I 'll believe that when I see it,"mat muttered."I guess that 's why he wanted to get into the screech shanty, though. Probably wanted it for the prisoners."

"I suspect that, too,"Harry said."I must say I 'm happy he chose the Chamber of Secrets."

"Me, too,"matte agreed.

"I have to return to the Ministry,"Harry said as he stood up."This will be in the newspaper tomorrow, although I have no idea what case of story they 're going to spin or how involved you will be. Whatever they publish, do n't acquire it too hard. please do not mention my theory to anyone. The cobbler's last thing we need is an article in the Prophet claiming that Harry Potter is a confederacy theorist."

Albus laughed and said undecomposed night to his dad. Madam Pomfrey let them sleep in the infirmary extension that night, considering how recent it was. Kaden, of course, had to remain arouse. Albus was surprised by how easy quietus came, considering what he 'd been through that night, but it was nearly two in the morning. He realized with a sinking feeling that he still had exams the next day. Herbology and antediluvian rune. He hoped they would n't go too horribly.


A/N : Thanks for all the lovely recapitulation ! I will be getting to them as soon as I can. The future chapter will the finis in this novel. I 'm not sure when the fifth part novel will be up since I have yet to amount up with a concrete secret plan for it. I 'm going to exact a intermission to write early stories that I 've had in my head for a while.

It 's the end of Oct, which means it 's nearly NaNoWriMo season ! I 'll be continuing to update Between Here and Somewhere throughout November, as well as posting the terminal chapter of this side by side Friday. But you wo n't see a great deal else from me until December, as I 'll be fussy writing an master copy fic.


Albus, John, and Matt overslept the next morning. Albus awoke ten second before their Herbology exam and had to rouse up John and mat, which is never a small feat. It took a full phase of the moon five minutes to get them up, but soon they were running through the corridors knowing full well that they would be late. Unfortunately for Albus, none of his idea was on Herbology. He could n't terminate thinking about what happened last night.

The boys ran into nursery three five bit late and as soon as they shut the door the entire class looked up from their exam and stared at them. Albus got the distinct belief that they all knew about last night, whether from rumors or from the seer. professor Longbottom got up from his stool and walked over to them.

"Boys,"he said quietly.

"I 'm sorry we 're late, sir,"Albus said."We overslept-"

"Albus, it 's okey. I know what happened last night. Just go take your seats. Your exams are already laid out."

"Thanks,"Albus replied.

Albus was very grateful that Herbology had been the exam he was late for. Longbottom was the most understanding professor in the entire schoolhouse. Albus settled down and managed to take the exam without falling asleep. While there were a few interrogation that he was n't sure about, he was quite confident that he at least passed.

By the fourth dimension the test full point ended Albus was starving, as were john and lustrelessness. They, along with blush wine and Amanda, headed immediately to the Great Marguerite Radclyffe Hall for lunch. As they walked in, Albus again got the trenchant feeling that everyone was staring at them.

"You should 've been at breakfast,"Amanda said."Everyone was talking about it and they kept coming over and asking me enquiry. There were a crew of masses crowded around Malfoy, too."

"Do either of you have the oracle ?"Albus asked as they sat down.

"Yeah, here,"rosebush said, handing it to him.

Albus unfolded the paper and set it down on his denture. bathroom and Matt sat on either side of him and read over his shoulder.

CONVICTS CAUGHT AT HOGWARTS

Newly appointed headway Auror, Robert
Johnson, received an anonymous tip
late last night that led him and four
other Aurors to Hogwarts School of
witchcraft and Wizardry. The tip
told Aurors that escaped convicts
Amycus Carrow, Alecto Carrow,
Quinton Willinson, and Dolores
Umbridge could be found in the Chamber
of closed book deep under Hogwarts School.

The sleeping accommodation of Secrets, long since
regarded as a rumored secret chamber
beneath the school was proven to
exist in mid-1993. The sleeping room has
remained vacate since then.

All four escaped yardbird, along with
Jarrett Willinson, wanted for a yr
by the Auror section, were found in
the sleeping room of closed book by Henry M. Robert President Lyndon Johnson
and four early Aurors. Amycus Carrow,
Quinton Willinson, and Dolores Umbridge
have been returned to Azkaban prison.
Jarrett Willinson is currently being held
in Azkaban prison without bond. Alecto
Carrow was pronounced dead by Healers
late in conclusion night, after the ceiling in
the Chamber collapsed, crushing her
instantly.

Six Hogwarts scholar were found in the
Chamber as well. Johnson has released
very little information on this panorama
of the night, but has said that Jarrett
Willinson captured one student with the
intention of killing her if need were
not met. The figure of the scholarly person have
not been released.

It is unknown how the yardbird got into
the school. weakness in the protective
Baroness Jackson of Lodsworth are currently being addressed. 'We
regard to check the public that Hogwarts
School remains as dependable as ever. The problems
will be addressed quickly. There is no
need to panic .'

"alien how the con got into the school ?"Albus said incredulously."They 've covered the all thing up !"

"What did you expect, Albus ?"Rose asked, shaking her head."Uncle Harry said it would happen."

"I bet that new Head Auror is in on it,"Albus muttered."He 'll probably say he investigated but all he 'll do is make up taradiddle to cover up what Laurentis did."

"You 're probably right hand,"Rose said.

"Who 's right ?"Kaden asked as he sat down.

"Albus,"Rose said.

"Have you seen this rubbish ?"Albus asked, holding up the paper.

"Yeah,"Kaden replied."But honestly, I do n't deal right now. I just want a sandwich. The divination exam was bestial. I had to tell Trelawney 's future in tea leaves."

John laughed."What did you say ?"

"Told her she was going to meet an untimely death at the hands of a drift Quaffle,"Kaden said.

Rose groaned."Oh, Kaden, you didn't."

"She actually liked it,"Kaden said."Her huge centre lit up and everything."

"She likes dying, Trelawney,"John said."Or at least the concept of it."

"Weird,"Albus muttered.

Albus 's remaining exams took stead with piddling fanfare. Despite his mind not being on the material, he thought he did fairly well, and when the fall guy were released he discovered that he had passed everything. His Transfiguration mark was a bit low, but still passing.

The Hogwarts students, with their short memory duet, soon forgot about the debacle in the bedroom of Secrets and moved on to other topics of discussion such as the summertime holiday and the flow Quidditch season. Albus certainly did n't mind this because it meant he was no longer the center of attention. Despite the fact that the prophesier never released the names of the scholarly person in the Chamber, everyone knew it was Albus, lavatory, Kaden, and Amanda, along with the three Slytherins.

"feel, Laurentis has released a statement about capturing the captive,"Rose said at breakfast on their day in the castle.

Albus groaned."This ca n't be good. Let 's hear it."

“'I wish to applaud the Auror Department for their work in recapturing the remaining escaped outlaw. The timely recapture after the reorganization of the department only reinforces how important a decision it was to reorganize. With the new regularisation and insurance in the Auror Department, organized by Henry M. Robert Johnson, the Aurors were capable to fascinate the malefactor immediately after receiving the tip. We can most assuredly look forward to more than successes from the Auror Department .'”

"What a load of dirt,"Albus said."Of course they were able to recapture them quickly after receiving that tip. They organized for the con to be in the Chamber in the low place."

"It 's like your dad said, though,"lustrelessness began."Everything will get revealed eventually. That 's not an easy secret to keep, what they did."

"Hey, it looks like Embry 's going to work a speech,"Kaden said, gesturing toward the staff table.

Professor Embry stood up and raised his hands for quiet. This did nothing, of course."quiet !"Embry shouted."I have something I 'd wish to say.

"Thank you,"he said, after everyone stopped talking."I just want to say what a delight it has been to learn you all this yr. I never expected to teach and I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed it. I hope you enjoyed taking my course of instruction as much as I enjoyed teaching it, and I hope you all have a heavy appreciation and agreement of our authorities. Today is my last day at Hogwarts, as the political relation course will not keep following year, and I am once again needed at the Ministry. Please do n't hesitate to owl me if you wish to receive a tour of the Ministry for faculty member purpose. I daresay that a few of you might have calling in political science yourselves."

Embry sat back down and the entire room fusillade into applause. Albus was n't sure enough if the hand clapping was for Embry or for the fact that political sympathies would no longer be a class. Albus had n't minded the class, but one fewer class was to be appreciated.

"I learned something about politics this year, all right,"John the Evangelist muttered as the applause settled down."And that 's that I never want to be a politician."

"Me, too,"Albus agreed.

"sunshine to that !"James shouted from a few seats down.

"Oh, I do n't know."Amanda shrugged."I think it might be interesting."

Albus was n't at all surprise to hear Amanda say that. If any of his booster were to become politician, it would be Amanda.
***


Later that day Albus found himself at yet another Hogwarts graduation ceremony. He and rose wine had attended every undivided commencement exercise ceremony since starting Hogwarts, and one the yr before, too. It had gotten to the point where he did n't pay very much tending to the speech because they all sounded very similar to the ace he 'd get a line before. During this ceremony, the lone part Albus paid attending to was the region where Fred and Calluna vulgaris accepted their diplomas, which took all of two bit.

"Well, we survived,"Albus said to Georgia after the ceremony ended and everyone was milling around.

Georgia grinned."That we did. It 's kind of surreal, to be honest. Dad did n't win, so things are no different than they were this time lastly year, really."

Albus nodded."How is Uncle Percy doing ?"

GA shrugged."I 'm not surely. He does n't talk about it much. Actually, the eldritch thing is that whenever I go over there for dinner party he spends a lot of time asking about Quidditch. I think it 's mostly to keep me from asking about his want of employment, but I 'm not going to complain. Maybe he 'll even find out to like it. The Quidditch, I mean, not the lack of employment."

"He still has n't found a job ?"Albus asked.

"No. He could go back to the Ministry but he 'd have to do something where he 's not an real politician, since Laurentis would n't take him. I do n't remember he wants to do that. He 's been helping Uncle George III with the shop, but I do n't think Uncle George really likes that. Says Dad 's too obsessive. But he 's too nice to evidence Dad he ca n't help."

"Albus !"rose shouted."We 've got to go. The carriages are leaving."

Albus nodded to pink wine and then turned back to Georgia."I 'd better go. Let me know when your future match is. I want to go."

Georgia grinned."for certain thing. See you soon, Al."

"Bye, GA,"Albus said as he turned to postdate Rose back to the castle, where they would take in the thestral-drawn carriages back to Hogsmeade.
***


"I say we go to St. John the Apostle 's house this year,"Matt said as the Hogwarts express mail hurtled back to London.

"Are you mad ?"John asked, unwrapping a chocolate salientian."I mean, really, are you ? You want to come to my sign of the zodiac, where I have three crazy little sisters running about ?"

matt shrugged."They ca n't be that bad."

"Says he who is the youngest in his crime syndicate,"John said, looking at Albus for support.

"He 's right,"Albus agreed."And I 've only got one little sister. Wait a min, mat 's the only one of us who does n't let younger siblings, is n't he ?"

The others nodded."All right,"privy said."Let 's founder Matt a real number sense of what having fate of siblings is like. I 'll owl you and let you be intimate when."

"Exploding Snap ?"Kaden asked, holding up a pack of cards of bill.

"Sure,"flatness said. Everyone else nodded.

Kaden began to deal the plug-in, but before he finished, the compartment room access slid open. Albus, expecting one of his cousins, turned to the room access. It slid open the residual of the way and Malfoy stood on the threshold, looking a bit unsure of himself. He was alone. Albus wondered where Felix was.

"What do you need ?"lav asked.

"Er, can I just talk to you lot ?"he asked quietly, stepping inside and sliding the door behind him.

"Where 's Willinson ?"Albus asked, standing up.

"He 's no longer speaking to me,"Malfoy explained."After I hexed his uncle and as he put it, 'joined the early side .'”

"What about Elsie ?"rose asked, clearly concerned about the girl.

Malfoy shrugged."She 's always with Felix. She never said much around me."

"Is she really a parselmouth ?"Saint John the Apostle asked."I assume she 's the one who got you into the Chamber ?"

"Yeah, she did, but she 's not a parselmouth. She 's just really good with languages so she was able to fake it,"Malfoy explained.

There were a few moments of awkward silence. Malfoy shifted his weightiness and leaned against the door.

"So,"Albus said."Why are you here, exactly ?"

Malfoy sighed."This year sucked and I got caught up in a lot of things that I did n't want to do, which is exactly what happened to my dad when he was at Hogwarts."

Albus was utterly confused as to why Malfoy was telling them all of this. He exchanged looks with flatness and then focused on Malfoy once more.

"But it 's just not worth it anymore,"Malfoy continued."Hating you lot. I know it was you who somehow got itching powder into all the Slytherins'laundry-"

"That was n't us,"Kaden said quickly, a lilliputian too quickly.

"And we know you put the goat in the common room,"John added.

Malfoy nodded."As I was saying, it just does n't matter. Any of it."He turned to Matt."And I do n't wish that you 're a wolfman. Really. Sure, it 's weird and I have no idea why Kendrick even lets you be here-"

"I wo n't hesitate to hex you, you know,"toilet said, reaching into his robes for his wand.

Malfoy held up his hands."No, do n't. I guess what I 'm saying is that I think we should call a truce."

"A truce ?"Albus asked, raising his eyebrow.

"Yeah, a truce,"Malfoy said."You all know my grandfather died this year. It makes all this fighting we do seem really stupid."

"You 're not saying we should be friends, are you ?"Saint John the Apostle asked incredulously.

Malfoy screwed up his face."God no. I 'm saying you lot hold on only pranking the Slytherins, do n't tell apart anyone that I dueled on your face in the sleeping accommodation, and I wo n't tell anyone Eckerton is a loup-garou. I 'll really call that, without any scourge of expulsion."

Albus was skeptical. Could the end of Lucius Malfoy really prompt this modification in Scorpius ?

"C'mon, armistice ?"Scorpius asked, sticking his hand out to Albus.

"Oh, just do it, Albus,"rose said."We 've got O.W.L.s next twelvemonth. You do n't need this stupid feud distracting you. Or any of us."

"Fine, truce,"Albus said, shaking Scorpius 's hand.

Malfoy nodded."I guess I 'll go, then. See you around, Potter."

Malfoy turned and left the compartment. Albus did n't move for a full minute."That was the unusual matter I 've ever seen,"he finally said, resuming his seat.

"I do n't cerebrate any of us will ever full understand what happened there,"Rose said."But I think it 's a good thing."

"Weird, though,"Matt said."You think he means it ?"

The weirder thing was, was that Albus did actually consider him. There had been something in Malfoy 's eyes that Albus had n't seen before. It was like Malfoy seemed erstwhile somehow. He was no long a kid, whose biggest trouble was arguing with Albus over stupe things. Somehow, Malfoy had grown up.

Albus supposed they 'd all grown up that class. They were going to be twenty percent eld now, and Kaden would be a fourth year, and that meant they were the honest-to-god students in the schoolhouse. They were growing up. All of them. Even Malfoy.

"Makes me wonder what following year will be like,"Amanda mused."Everything about this twelvemonth has been strange."

"We 've got Laurentis reforming Hogwarts,"Rose reminded them."I think it 'll be plentifulness strange."

Albus had nearly forgotten about that. He did n't desire Hogwarts to interchange. Despite all that was going on in the out-of-door macrocosm, Hogwarts had always remained the same. But now it was n't. Hogwarts was going to change.

Albus leaned back in his seat and stared out the window, watching the countryside fly by. He did n't have sex what changes Hogwarts would see in the following class, but he did n't want to think about it just yet. There was still a whole summertime before that would befall, and Albus intended to enjoy it.


A/N : Thank you so much for all the support and reviews for this story ! You guys are amazing. I will be taking a fracture before continuing with this series as I have other report floating around in my mind, but I 'll eventually make out back to Albus. I 've no idea how long it 'll be, though.

In the meantime, please contain out my Marauders Era narration, Between Here and Somewhere ! And keep checking back for my reassessment responses, because I will get to them.